August 2025
We’re delighted to announce five new participants in the University of Salford Art Collections’ Graduate Scholarship Programme: Henry Collier (BA Fashion Image Making and Styling), Charlie Currid (BA Fine Art), Andrea Lowe (MA Socially Engaged Practice), Portia Wilkins (BA Fine Art), and Anni Kay Wilkinson (BA Photography).
Delivered in partnership with Castlefield Gallery, Manchester, the long-running programme grants bespoke support packages to graduating BA and MA students from the University of Salford School of Arts, Media, and Creative Technology. Aiming to support graduates to develop a career in the arts sector, each 12 month award can include: mentoring, coaching, research trips, studio space, membership of Castlefield Gallery Associates, and a bursary for research, materials or travel. At the end of the scheme, each artist has the opportunity to have work acquired into the University’s permanent collection.
“The Scheme has supported more than 50 artists since 2014, and it has been a pleasure and privilege to see our talented graduates develop their independent practices. We received a high number of strong applications this year, and are pleased to be able to award graduates from across a range of courses: BA Photography, Fine Art, FIMS, and MA Socially Engaged Practice. We very much look forward to working with this year’s artists, in partnership with Castlefield Gallery” Stephanie Fletcher, Curator.
This years’ programme is co-ordinated by artist and writer Elliott Flanagan, who graduated from BA Visual Arts at the University in 2017 and took part in the scholarship scheme in 2017-2018.
Find out more about the artists below, and about the scheme here.
“I’m delighted to be awarded the scholarship opportunity and excited to utilise it to continue to develop my practice. The scholarship, for me, enables me the space and support to develop at a professional level along with the tools to do so. The support of a creative community in a real-world professional context beyond that of the educational setting. It is also accessible and supportive in terms of providing a platform despite being a working sole parent.” – Andrea Lowe, MA Socially Engaged Art Practice
“I’m so excited and honoured to join the scheme. I feel I can make the most of the connections made and things learnt while studying Fine Art at University, and I can explore new facets to my practice in a critical environment.” – Charlie Currid, BA Fine Art
Henry Collier
BA FIMS (Fashion Image Making and Styling)
@henryjamescollier
Henry creates imagery that comments on male vulnerability, self-accountability, and issues of toxicity prevalent in contemporary society. As well as working across photography and fashion image making and styling, his outputs include zines, prints, sculpture and text. His work explores ideas of softness as strength, and aims to help young men and LGBTQIA+ communities to find senses of belonging and reciprocal community. Henry will be based at Islington Mill studios.
Charlie Currid
BA Fine Art
Website
Charlie is a multidisciplinary artist from Bolton, interested in hybridity and the experience of nature in the digital age. His practice is composed largely of painting, video, and installation based pieces. Within his work, there is rarely a fixed end point: the work is “in constant flux, much like a river, continually eroding and depositing. Paintings become videos, become textiles, become sculptures, to return to paintings…”
Andrea Lowe
MA Socially Engaged Arts Practice
@andrealoweart
Andrea is a socially engaged artist and educator based in the North West. Her practice focuses upon arts and health, using creativity as a means to communicate and explore issues for and with people. Her work spans fine art (including drawing, printmaking and sculpture) to socially engaged practices (including creative facilitation and participatory artworks). Overarching themes include health, wellbeing, female empowerment and agency, within a context of social inclusion and experiences of domestic violence. Andrea will be based at New Art Spaces, Warrington.
Portia Wilkins
BA Fine Art
Website
Portia is a Welsh artist based in Salford, Manchester. Their practice is an extension of the artist’s experiences, folklore, the gothic and gamer culture. their work explores avatars and hybrids that live within a liminal world, with reference to Welsh myth and history. Portia will be based at Paradise Works studios.
Anni Kay Wilkinson
BA Photography
Website
Anni is a photographer specialising in social, event and documentary styles. Her practice focuses on capturing underground and minority subcultures in Greater Manchester, as well as documenting different inner city areas. Her long-term project Hulme Loonies documents the communities and characters of the area. Her work has featured in the British Culture Archive, The Face, The Guardian, and Manchester Mill.
Image credits:
1)Self portrait in bathroom mirror in a petrol station, 2025, by Henry James Collier
2) Charlie Currid in the studio, courtesy the artist
3) Andrea Lowe in the studio, courtesy Helen Constantinou
4) The Sheep Pilgrim, Portia Wilkins, courtesy the artist
5) Fire Pit, Anni Kay Wilkinson, courtesy the artist