Inspiring the next generation of artists is the aim of Joyce Spurr, a local artist who has donated £2,000 to Sheffield Hallam University.
Joyce has spent a lifetime not only painting portraits, but also iconic Sheffield scenes and many locations around the UK and Europe. A number of her works are held in the city’s art collections.
Having just recently celebrated her 98th birthday, Joyce, who is sadly now almost blind, moved to Tapton Edge residential home in May 2018 and has chosen to fund a new travel bursary to support art students by selling her own art.
The initial donation of £2,000, made earlier this year, established the Joyce Spurr Travel Fund to help current students at the University attend art exhibitions across the UK to inspire and develop their own artistic vision.
Joyce said: “As an artist, one of the best things is seeing other artists learning and developing their craft. That’s why I wanted to start this fund – to give young people a chance to be inspired and develop their skills.”
She also has a few words of wisdom for students at the Sheffield Institute of Arts.
Joyce added: “Use your own ideas, be adventurous in your use of colours and don’t be afraid to do things differently.
“If you are drawing or painting a person, always look at the hands and the eyes. These tell you a lot about a person.”
Cat Dale, Philanthropy Manager at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “We are incredibly thankful to Joyce and her friends Rita Fletcher, Steve Attwood and Sheila Pantry who contacted us with the wonderful idea of setting up a fund to support art students earlier this year.
“The Joyce Spurr Travel fund will support the next generation of artists to visit exhibitions at some of the UK’s leading cultural institutions to find inspiration for their own work.
“The University is committed to creating the best opportunities for all of our students to achieve their best during their time here, and it is with great thanks to Joyce that we can continue this work.”
On Saturday 12 October, the fifth exhibition of Joyce’s work was held, this time in Channing Hall, Surrey Street, Sheffield raising further funds to support students at the University.
