The scholarship will enable Jess Grimsdale to receive specialist tuition and further her skills.
Grimsdale completed a diploma in Fine Art at Stourbridge College of Art & Design and went on to complete a BA in Illustration at Falmouth. Following this, she launched her own business in Bristol and offers signwriting and illustrating commissions.
Alongside the studio, Grimsdale built sets, produced signwriting, and painted wagons for Gifford’s Circus and still regularly works for Carters Steam Fair where she helps to restore and paint the rides and equipment.
QEST saw over 200 applications for its latest round of funding and these were whittled down to 22 successful applicants.
I’ve made it my mission to learn and practice the skills needed to keep the craft alive, and I hope that by building on these skills and learning more advanced techniques, I can help it to flourish”
Grimsdale will receive funding for training including a course in reverse glass gilding with David A. Smith where she will learn a range of techniques including oil and water gilding, glue chipping, and acid etching.
In addition to this, the signwriter will complete a short course in joinery tuition with master sign-makers Ash and Sarah Bishop, and a course in wagon painting and scroll work. Continued support will also be provided by QEST throughout her career.
“As soon as I discovered traditional signwriting back in 2018, I knew immediately that it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life,” Grimsdale comments. “Since then, I’ve made it my mission to learn and practice the skills needed to keep the craft alive, and I hope that by building on these skills and learning more advanced techniques, I can help it to flourish.”
QEST has awarded over £5m to over 650 makers across 130 different crafts since it was founded in 1990. The next application round for funding opens July 11th and closed on August 15th, 2022.
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