Bank of Ireland announced as new sponsor for Arts & Business NI, award piece commission.
Bank of Ireland has been announced as the new sponsor for the Arts & Business NI Award Piece Commission for Artists.
The artist created award pieces will be unveiled at the Arts & Business NI Awards 2022, in partnership with Forestside, which celebrates the best in creative partnerships between the cultural and private sectors.
This year, the commission has been awarded to Antrim based artist Sasha McVey, who specialises in contemporary ceramics and is inspired by her everyday surroundings, living and working within the Glens of Antrim. Sasha’s award-winning artwork has been exhibited throughout Ireland and has also received international recognition.
Artist Sasha McVey commented: “Creating the award pieces for the Arts & Business NI Awards, in partnership with Forestside, is a fantastic opportunity. As both an artist and small business owner, I believe passionately in the value of the arts and in supporting local businesses and I was delighted to be selected for this commission. Each of the 15 sculptures will be created by hand using a blend of traditional and contemporary ceramic techniques and will reflect the theme of reconnection. Award winners will be each taking home a unique piece of artwork.”
William Thompson, Head of Consumer Banking NI at Bank of Ireland said: “The role of artists and arts organisations in connecting communities is so important and at Bank of Ireland we are delighted and immensely proud to be supporting local artists through our partnership with Arts & Business NI. Sasha is an extremely talented artist, I cannot wait to see her sculptures and wish all of the awards entrants the best of luck!”
Mary Nagele, Chief Executive, Arts & Business Northern Ireland said: “The Arts & Business NI Awards, in partnership with Forestside is an important platform to showcase the many mutually beneficial collaborations that there are between the cultural and private sectors in NI. We are thrilled that through this new partnership with Bank of Ireland, we can support and profile a local artist with this commission. We were so impressed with Sasha’s original concept, and the quality of her work, we can’t wait to showcase the finished pieces at the awards ceremony.”
Arts & Business NI has been working for over 30 years to drive dynamic connections between the cultural and commercial sectors in Northern Ireland. The Arts & Business NI Awards, in partnership with Forestside will take place in September 2022.
To find out more about Sasha McVey’s work go to sashamcveycermaics.com
Image caption: Bank of Ireland announced as new sponsor for Arts & Business NI, Awards piece commission. Left to right: Mary Nagele, CEO Arts and Business NI, Sasha McVey Artist, William Thompson Head of consumer banking Bank of Ireland.