During my CTR Fellowship in 2013 I will be a resident of Adelaide for one month in a self-contained 'writer's retreat' appartment owned by the May Gibbs Children's Literature Trust. Whilst there I will be able to concentrate fully and without distraction on my children's novel and my illustrated picture book in progress. I'll also have the opportunity to work as an author-in-residence at one of the local schools, giving workshops and talks on the craft of writing and illustrating for children.
The timing couldn't be better; next year my youngest will begin university. With the shadow of my son’s final year at school slipping away into the dawn of adulthood, I am now free to pursue my own dreams.
I chose Adelaide as my first choice for a CTR Fellowship as I would like to
broaden my network of friends in the wonderful children’s writing and
illustrating community. One of the highlights of my stay will also be the Writers' Week, Adelaide Festival. I just can't wait, and I relish the thought of sitting in a cafe in Adelaide's leafy suburbs observing, sketching and writing.
A Creative Time Residential Fellowship in 2013 is the next step in my career planning. After a very difficult year of family illness and grief, the award of the CTR Fellowship has lifted my heart and my spirit. I see it as an acknowledgment of my ability to produce beautiful art and an opportunity to bring the two projects I have been resolutely chipping away at closer to completion.
Front cover from Gum-nut Babies, 1916, May Gibbs.
From the State Library of NSW's collection
I'd like to sincerely thank the May Gibbs Children's Literature Trust for the wonderful work they do in support of Australian children's authors and illustrators. By providing the opportunity, the gift of time and a quiet space to create, inspire and strive, the trust continues to honour the legacy of literary heritage our own May Gibbs (MBE) left us. In the words of the trust:
"The members of MGCLT are passionate about Australia's cultural heritage and appreciate the contribution May Gibbs made to our cultural environment. Their purpose is to ensure that the high quality of work attained by May Gibbs in her time is achieved by contemporary Australian children's authors and illustrators; that they are able to retain the Australian voice and to develop the literary heritage of the future."
I am truly honoured, humbled and grateful to have been awarded this fellowship.
To view more of May Gibbs' original artwork and learn about her legacy of children's literature, check out the State Library of NSW's May Gibbs collection online here. It is absolutely inspiring and a fabulous online exhibition. You can zoom in to view the artworks so close each brush mark is clearly visible.
16 comments:
Well deserved Angela and you will love it! I'm pretty sure I'll be in Adelaide at some stage when you are there so it would be great if we could catch up at one of the coffee shops at The Parade some time.
Thanks, Michael. That would be lovely. I've been checking Google Maps and actually know where The Parade is. Sounds like a wonderful place for some people watching and a cappucino.
Angela, I am truly overjoyed for you. You hung on, believed and will shine even brighter for this wonderful opportunity. It means we will miss your smiling presence at Somerset perhaps but Adelaide will be all the richer for it. I grew up in the land of the crow eaters - which school will you be AIR at? And make sure you get yourself to the Grand (in Glenelg), sip on something interesting and take in the sunset for me...
Ah, you've given me some good ideas there, Dimity. Will question you further closer to the time. I believe the school will be Victor Harbour Primary. Thank you for your absolutely beautiful words. x
OK great. Yes we must talk. You'll need a car and time to get to Victor Harbour! That's quite a drive south out of Ade. proper. A long way from the Parade.But full of what they used to call fairy penguins (little penguins) and seals.
That's fantastic Angela and well deserved! Adelaide is a lovely city (I lived there for 12 years and it's where my girls were born). Enjoy your time there and I wish you all the success in the world!! Love Katex
Dimity, the MGCLT organises all my transport to the school. All I have to do is 'create'. Ooh, I love fairy penguins. I had one walk over my foot once on Phillip Is.
Thank you, Kate! If I have any questions about Adelaide, I'll know just who to ask. xx
Angela,
Fantastic NEWS!
You deserve this so much.
Lovely catching up with you at Dimity's book launch last Sunday.
You did a brilliant job as Mrs Claus/and launcher!
Hugs,
Karen Tyrrellx
Thank you, Karen. It was lovely catching up with you too.
Congratulations Angela. I'm so happy for you! You so deserve it and I know you'll get the much time needed to work and play in Adelaide.
Thank you also for inspiring me with a impromptu writing workshop over coffee on the weekend. You're awesome love.
Thanks so much, Renee and you're very welcome. I was so pleased to finally catch up with you. It seems like such a long time since we last saw one another. Have a great time on your big OS adventure and take loads of sensory details in your notes!
congratulations Angela!!! Enjoy your reward and most of all ENJOY your reward....the time will fly and so too will your brushes & pencil strokes ♡ Lilly
Angela, just saw the exciting news in the SCBWI newsletter (I am a bit behind) - a huge congratulations, this is so well deserved and you'll do amazing things with this opportunity. Enjoy Adelaide, it's fabulous.
Thank you, Lilly. A month is a long time, but it will go quickly I'm sure.
Thanks, Amanda! I didn't know it would be in the SCBWI newsletter. I'm going to work my butt off and get as much out of this opportunity as I can.
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