EMERGING ceramist Lizzie Tongway says there is great joy in handmade crafts. Tongway loves the creating process both in what she calls a "kinetic mindfulness" and excitement in discovering finished pieces in the kiln.
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Then there is also the joy Tongway loves to share in those who own her handcrafted objects - platters, mugs, coffee pour-overs and lemon juicers.
"Every time I get use out of a handmade object I love it," Tongway said. "There is a pleasure in using it and a pleasure in gifting it. There is a great amount of joy and love all-round."
There is a pleasure in using (handmade wares) and a pleasure in gifting it.
- Ceramist Lizzie Tongway, a Ballarat Arts Foundation grant recipient
Tongway is one of 12 Ballarat Arts Foundation recipients in a year of unprecedented hardship on the city's arts performers and artisans.
For Tongway, who earned the Foundation's Rotary Club of Ballarat South award, this will allow her to purchase equipment to fine-tune her craft and help set her up as an artist.
Tongway graduated from Federation University last year with a strong demand for her platters in the graduation exhibition. Then the pandemic hit.
The time has allowed Tongway to try and navigate her way through e-commerce and marketing to sell her wares while also taking on a Master of Business Administration through Fed Uni.
"Artists have a reputation for not being good business people. I thought if I could get those skills it would help," Tongway said. "My long-term goal is in diversional therapy, to support people who live with mental illness overcome loneliness. It's going to take a while to get there."
Ballarat Arts Foundation is marking 20 years in fostering creative arts about the region and helping artists who have lived, studied or worked in Ballarat.
BAF was inundated with grant applications during the pandemic. A record number of applications were lodged and funding requests added up to more than $100,000, prompting a call for community support.
BAF chairman Paula Nicholson said it was a tough process but the foundation board was determined to help artists as best they could.
"BAF recognises the dedication and skill that underpins the work of these artists, and we hope that with this support, they will continue the journey towards their artistic ideal," Ms Nicholson said. "They already contribute to our community in tangible ways to make our world a better, braver place."
BAF's awards ceremony will play out online on Wednesday. Details for the ceremony will be on the BAF website, ballaratartsfoundation.org.au and Facebook page.
BALLARAT ARTS FOUNDATION 2020 GRANT RECIPIENTS:
- Grove (Abby Ashmore, Matthew McEgan, Joshua Knight and Fletcher Wragg), the Nicholson Award to reach a wider audience by producing vinyl pressings of their debut EP.
- Lucan Buckley will develop his trombone skills with the Louis Stevens Award for musicianship (classical or jazz musicians, composers and conductors). He will purchase an instrument stand and mute.
- Sam Dolan, an actor in his final year of studies at Federation University, will use equipment purchased through a BAF Award to embark on a COVID-initiative to create digital content, including short videos and skits.
- Paige Duggan, a multi-talented artist and musician, receives the Di Bresciani Drawing and Painting Award to transform her art into digital designs for print.
- Tom Jenkins is awarded the BLOC and Lyric Theatre Award for Performing Arts to support his music performances and capacity for high-quality recording.
- Lily Minchenko receives the VJ Award for overseas study which will enable her to complete her final year of ballet study in Stuttgart, Germany.
- Sarah Morrison, a Federation University music theatre graduate, will use the Will Coltman Award for Writing to purchase sophisticated software to further develop her script-writing ventures.
- Megan Riedl, an emerging poet, receives the Jack Anderson Award for Film to expand her audience by producing a professionally filmed and edited video of her spoken word poetry to share online.
- Akasha Temple Matthews is recipient of the Isobella Foundation Award. She will purchase music equipment that will allow her to produce her first professional solo album.
- Lizzie Tongway receives the Rotary Club of Ballarat South Award to purchase of equipment that will extend her creative practice in ceramaics.
- Kirrily Urquhart's Federation University Award for Creative Community Impact will enable her to purchase equipment to capture professional standard digital imagery of the built and natural environment of the Ballarat region, and produce digital textile designs.
- Jade Walsh is awarded the Norman Hofmaier Award for Contemporary Art to support her development in blending painting, printing and textiles in larger scale works.
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