The St David Awards - Makenzy Beard
Nominated for Young person award - Makenzy Beard
Now internationally recognised, young artist Makenzy Beard has achieved yet another milestone becoming nominated for the St David Awards 'Young person award'.
About the awards
Celebrating their ninth year in 2022, The St David Awards are the national awards of Wales.
The prestigious awards celebrate the fantastic achievements of individuals from across Wales.
Each year there are 10 St David Awards, the first 9 of which are nominated for by the public:
- Business
- Bravery
- Community Spirit
- Critical Worker (Key Worker)
- Culture
- Environment
- Innovation, Science and Technology
- Sport
- Young Person
- First Minister's Special Award
The finalists and winners are decided upon by the First Minister of the Welsh Government and his advisers.
On announcing the finalists, First Minister Mark Drakeford commented
“Some of the people shortlisted have shown extraordinary acts of bravery and determination. Others have shown incredible community spirit despite the pressures of living through the coronavirus pandemic.
“Our finalists are astonishing people and we are very fortunate they call Wales home. I would like to congratulate all those who have been shortlisted and I want to thank everyone who took the time to nominate someone for an award – unfortunately not everyone can make the shortlist.”
Taking up painting at the age of 13 during lockdown, Makenzy took to painting as her school passions (hockey for Wales, football for Swansea Schools, county netball and lifeguards for Langland on Gower) were closed. She was very surprised to find herself with a love and technical ability for emotional and reflective portraits.
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Her first detailed subject, a piece for the Royal Academy Young Artists’ Summer Show in London, was selected for exhibition from more than 30,000 entries.
Highly praised across social media on an international scale, this mood capturing portrait of a local farmer in a hi-vis jacket, 'John Tucker' brought widespread national interest. This, and subsequent paintings, have also attracted international critique.
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With each new portrait surpassing the technical skill of the last, Makenzy continues to hone her focus on creating lifelike portraits of family members and people who have entered her life through her travels.
Working from her mothers studio, Beard is often accompanied by her sister who offers words of encouragement and advice throughout Makenzy's painting process.
With Makenzy's passion for sport and her school term now back in full effect, it's an incredibly exciting time to see how this young artists creative career will develop and prosper as her skills progress.
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