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Julie Umerle, artist

I received a grant from the Elizabeth Nuffield Educational Fund as a student. My local educational authority had agreed to fund a four-year degree course in French Literature at the University of Sussex, but I decided to switch courses midway to pursue a degree in painting. My local authority would then only fund a further two years of study, so I was fortunate to receive a grant from the Nuffield Foundation during the final two years of my fine arts course which enabled me to complete my BA at Falmouth College of Art. I graduated with a first class honours degree in painting.

I then began to build my career as an artist in London, and have since exhibited my paintings in many groups and solo shows in the UK and internationally. I have sold work to major collections including Deutsche Bank. I worked for a time as a gallery educator in London at the Hayward Gallery, the Royal Academy, the Barbican and Whitechapel Art Gallery, and led community arts workshops for people with special needs.

From 1996-1998 I studied in New York at Parsons School of Design, and graduated with a Masters degree in 1998. I then spent a further five years in New York, working as a painter. In 2001 I received a substantial award from the Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation in recognition of my achievements, and another from the Arts Council England in 2005.

I know that none of this would have been possible without the support that I received from the Elizabeth Nuffield Educational Fund at the beginning of my career, for which I am extremely grateful.

Last Updated Thu, 6 July 2006