This article is from page 23 of the 2012-05-29 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 23 JPG
CLARE designer, Jackie Maurer, stole the show at this weekend’s Future Makers Awards, bringing two awards back to the Banner County – including the main overall prize.
The Ballyvaughan-based designer won the inaugural Scarva Pottery Materials Award and also won the overall Future Makers Student Award.
The combined prize fund for winning both awards was € 3,000.
“These awards are fantastic. They will give me a platform and allow me to further my work. I’m absolutely thrilled,” she said.
“Nine years ago I got my work into a major exhibition in the RDS. I’ve been making pieces since I was 16 years of age.
“I started out as a functional maker, I trained with Stephen Pearce. In 2008, I went back to college and completely changed the style of my work.”
A graduate of the Limerick School of Art and Design, Jackie is renowned for her unique wearable ceramic neck pieces.
This weekend’s award recognises excellence, creativity and technical ability, and offers professional support for students to build their profile at a very early stage in their career.
With a total prize fund of € 30,000, the Future Makers awards and supports the next generation of Irish designers, helping them develop an exciting future in the craft and design industry.
Future Makers promotes and dis tinguishes craftsmanship and excellence in design for creative students and graduates at a critical stage in their career.
A total of 28 designers made it as far as the grand final, which was hosted by Sonya Lennon, host of the RTÉ One Off the Rails programme.