Helen Denise Jones OAM Arts Bursary - $1000

2024 Bursary Recipient Announced - AYLA LAKE

Ayla’s family home is in Gawler, but by early 2024 she will be living in Melbourne, following her dream of studying for a career in the visual arts.

Ayla  says her ‘…life revolves around visual arts, making, writing, and playing music and performing. I… cannot get through a day without being creative. The bulk of my study over the past two years has been in the arts as well as my spare time. I can never remember a time when I was not creating art.’

Alongside her passion for visual art, Ayla also has a love for performing. From the age of nine she has been a student at Slipstream Circus. This led to a role as a volunteer trainer and then a paid position as a Junior Trainer. ‘I really enjoy getting out in the community to perform and share my love of circus with new people, it is truly rewarding seeing the smiles on people’s faces. I hope to be able to continue circus in Melbourne whether that be teaching performing or both’.

Upon receiving the bursary Ayla said; ‘I am truly thankful to have been chosen as the recipient of the Helen Denise Jones Bursary… having this extra money will allow me to be involved in the arts scene and enrich my experience as a whole.’

Images below of Ayla performing in Slipstream Circus’ production of Tangent in September 2023. Photo credit John Fisher.

About the bursary

The Helen Denise Jones OAM Arts Bursary fund has been established to recognise the lifetime's work and contribution made by Helen to the arts and culture of Burnie. Over several decades, Helen inspired many people through her roles as a performer, teacher and confidante. Helen was patron of Burnie Arts Council Inc from 2012 to 2017. Our group decided to honour her with an annual Bursary Award for a young North West/West Coaster demonstrating aspiration and dedication to pursuing their arts studies. The recipient receives a one off payment of $1000.

Helen died peacefully at home on March 5th, 2017. Although mainly housebound for the last months of her life, she was able to meet the inaugural recipient of the bursary, Blake Peiper. Helen maintained a keen interest in the selection process for the 2017 bursary, which was ultimately awarded to Nicholas Von Bibra.

In liaison with Helen, Burnie Arts Council Inc established the guidelines and selection criteria for the bursary as outlined below:

• A promising arts student (I.e. visual, literary, musical or performing genres)

• Aged 17 - 21 years.

• Resides on the North-West Coast or West Coast of Tasmania

• Evidence of performance or public display of talent as appropriate to their chosen discipline

• Appropriate application stating suitable reasons for being chosen to receive bursary.

• Consideration of financial need.

APPLICATION FORM FOR HELEN DENISE JONES OAM ARTS BURSARY

DONATE NOW to the HELEN DENISE JONES OAM ARTS BURSARY

Past Recipients

Media