The Bewick Prize
Sue Scullard, Elephant and Calf.
The Bewick Prize is an annual prize for a small wood engraving funded by the Bewick Society, awarded at the Annual Exhibition of the Society of Wood Engravers.
Sue Scullard is the first winner of The Bewick Prize.
Her print is entitled 'Elephant and Calf' (97mm x 121mm). It is a beautiful engraving of great detail and skill and a worthy winner.
Thomas Bewick was keen that wood engraving would long flourish and that its artists would thrive.
'How far I may venture further to obtrude my opinions, or advice, on the notice of artists, particularly engravers on wood, I know not, but they may readily imagine that I cannot help feeling a deep interest, and an ardent desire, that the art may long flourish, and that those who follow it may feel happy in the pursuit. Perhaps what I have already said may not be uninteresting to some of them, and, if I knew how I could go further, in any way that might urge or stimulate them to feel enthusiasm for this art, it should not be wanting; for the wish, though tottering on the down-hill of life, is extended beyond the grave.'
[A Memoir of Thomas Bewick, Written by Himself edited with an Introduction by Iain Bain, Oxford University Press, 1979 p.201]
The 75th Annual Exhibition of the Society of Wood Engravers runs from 20th September 2012 to 20th October 2012 at Art Jericho Gallery, 6 King Street, Oxford OX2 6DP. It then goes on tour to Bath, London, North Yorkshire and Axminster.
More details on the website of the Society of Wood Engravers.
The Bewick Society
The aim of the Bewick Society is to promote an interest in the life and work of Thomas Bewick and related subjects, especially with regard to wood-engraving. The Society publishes a journal called the Cherryburn Times, normally twice a year. This provides a forum for the activities of the Society and keeps members informed about the latest research into the life and work of Bewick and his apprentices. Members publish articles about their own special interests where relevant to the Society. The Society also arranges visits to special collections, some of which are not normally open to the general public. It encourages the development of facilities for conservation and display of Bewick related materials, including wood-engraving as practised by those following in Bewick’s footsteps.
Cherryburn Cottage
Membership of the Society also gives free admission to the museum at Cherryburn, where Thomas Bewick was born, now in the care of the National Trust.
More information can be found on this page at the National Trust website.