Rhoda Bulter award

New award launched on July 15 2014

SHETLAND FORWIRDS LAUNCHES POETIC VISUAL ART COMPETITION

Shetland ForWirds launched a visual art competition on Tuesday 15th July, which would have been the 85^th birthday of the late Rhoda Bulter. The Rhoda Bulter Award, donated by the Bulter family, and designed and made in serpentine and silver by Rosalyn Thompson, will be presented annually.

However, each competition will be different. Convenor of Shetland ForWirds, Mary Blance, says ‘It seemed a good plan to vary the competition reflecting Rhoda’s different interests – she wrote baith poetry an prose so obviously we’ll hae writing in da future  – bit fur dis inaugural year we felt it wid be good ta highlight dis aspect o Rhoda’s creative life. She enjoyed drawing an painting an illustrated all her poetry collections hersel. Noosted boats, crofts, honeysuckle, prunk-luggit sheepdogs, even a bride doll – Rhoda drew dem aal. So I winder whit her poetry might inspire idder folk ta draw or paint.’

The competition will be judged by the Bulter family. Rhoda and Dennis’s daughter Margaret Stevenson says ‘Maam loved Shetland, da fok an da place, an wrat fae da hert. Her poetry can fill your head wi pictirs, an we hoop dat fur dis first year o da Award through Shetland ForWirds, fok will be inspired ta mak dir pictirs a physical reality’.

Entries can include drawings, paintings, prints, photographs, computer-generated graphics and collage. The 2014 competition is open to anyone aged 16 and over.

If you’re interested in entering the competition, you can get more details from Mary Blance at 1 South Road, Lerwick, Shetland, ZE1 0RB, at 01595 694104 or contact info@shetlanddialect.org.uk. The closing date for entries is 15^th October.