The Wildlife Trusts' Underwater Award funds diving tuition to enable artist to sketch life under the sea
Last updated 8/16/2010 12:43:38 PM
The Wildlife Trusts Underwater Award - photo credit Gorge Stoyles
Artist Anna Kirk-Smith has won a unique bursary to fund diving lessons and explore life under the sea.
Anna has completed her dive training, ready for a sea dive this Thursday, when she will make sketches of what she sees.
It's been made possible through The Wildlife Trusts' Underwater Award.
The award is in association with The Society of Wildlife Artists (SWLA) and Anna's sketches will form the basis for works to be exhibited at the SWLA's annual exhibition in September. It's hoped her work will raise awareness of marine life and what is being done to protect it.
Anna, who studied veterinary science, but followed it up with a Master of Arts in communication art and design, said: "I have always taken great inspiration from the natural world, particularly coastal and marine environments. The works will be created with the intention of informing and enlightening viewers as to the richness, beauty and threats facing our marine environment."
Kat Sanders, Marine Awareness & Research Officer for Yorkshire Wildlife Trust has been supporting Anna throughout her dive training, and will accompany her on her first sea dive, to take place off Flamborough Head in East Yorkshire.
Kat explained: "The area we will be diving off Flamborough is the perfect site to gain inspiration, teeming with marine life such as the colourful bloody henry starfish, and dahlia anemones."
For those who are curious to see the outcome of Anna's diving experiences, her work will be on display at the SWLA Annual Exhibition from Wednesday 22 September to Saturday 2 October at The Mall Galleries in London.
For artists interested in donning snorkel and flippers, applications for the 2011 bursary are open until 13 September. For details of how to apply visit www.swla.co.uk/Projects/Bursary/Bursaries.htm