Art and design students awarded special scholarships by Friends of Kirkcaldy Galleries

Fife College students Oonagh Maxwell and Craig Carson have received special scholarships which recognise creativity and passion in Jewellery and Art and Design students.

Oonagh, from Kirkcaldy, and Craig, from Cowdenbeath, have each been awarded a Friends of Kirkcaldy Galleries Scholarship, which is offered by Adam Smith Scholarships, part of Fife College.

Funded by the Friends of Kirkcaldy Galleries, which aims to boost public awareness of the Galleries, the scholarship offers a cash award of £600 each for the winning students, which is used to enhance their studying and help their career progression.

Oonagh and Craig were among several students shortlisted this year who submitted copies of their artwork and designs as part of the application process. These were then judged by Marion Lackie from the Friends of Kirkcaldy Galleries group.

Art and Design student Oonagh, who recently completed her HND at the College, is going to Duncan of Jordanstone Art School in Dundee to study a Fine Arts Hons Degree.

Oonagh said:

“I am so thrilled and excited because this scholarship will help me with travel expenses and art materials. I am grateful for this opportunity, and I am excited to start my university journey soon.”

The award will also make a big difference for Craig, who is preparing to start a degree course in Art & Design at Forth Valley College.

Craig started at Intermediate and NC level and has now completed HND too, which has allowed him to progress to year three of a degree programme.

Craig said:

"Winning this scholarship means that I can invest in art materials that will allow me to rent an art studio. Having a studio will enable me to work large scale and create paintings that are bigger than I can create at home.”

Tony Payne, from the Friends of Kirkcaldy Galleries, who have offered scholarships through the Adam Smith Foundation for the last four years, said:

“We are delighted to support the next generation of artists from Fife College through our scholarship.

“The scholarship has supported a number of talented creative students over the last few years and Oonagh and Craig are another two very deserving winners. We look forward to keeping in touch with them both and hearing about their next steps.”

Lyn Gold, Scholarship and Alumni Engagement Lead at Fife College, said:

“We are grateful for the fantastic support that the Friends of Kirkcaldy Galleries have shown our creative students over the last few years.

“The scholarship is a great way to recognise students who plan to progress their studies and continue onto university to enhance their career ambitions.

“Oonagh and Craig have both shown true passion and commitment during their time at College and are thoroughly deserving of their awards – we wish them the best of luck in their future university studies.”

Adam Smith Scholarships, part of Fife College, is one of the largest college scholarship programmes in Scotland, awarding thousands of pounds each year to support students, develop opportunities, open doors and transform lives.