The Dr Andrew Edney Bursary

The Dr Andrew Edney Bursary

In 2019 The Arts Society South Downs created an annual bursary for artists facing barriers to the art world for reasons of health, disability, social circumstance and isolation, through the charity Outside In. The funds for this initiative came from a legacy to the Society by former member Dr Andrew Edney.

In 2023 bursaries were awarded to the following artists:

Lila Wordsworth, who will use the bursary for mentoring.  It was felt she has great potential to use the bursary well and it would move her career forward significantly. She has a strong visual identity and focus.  She is an interdisciplinary artist focused on salvaged beach materials such as seaweed, fishing line, rusted objects and plastic waste.  She turns them into sculptures, textiles and cyanotype prints and photographs.

Michael Sage will use the bursary to purchase AI software, art materials and entry to art competitions. Using the software he will create a theme park utopia, an idea he has been developing in detail for some time.  

Gail Britt is a painter and plays with scale.  She has scoliosis, which is a real barrier for her.  Mentoring will enable her to develop her work, apply to galleries and write artist statements. The award would be timely as her studio is due for redevelopment within two years.