Ashington artist in public appeal

Posted by Richard Fletcher on Oct 19, 08 04:32 PM in News

An Ashington-born artist last night appealed for funding so he could finish his internship at a New York city art gallery.

David Thompson, 23, who is originally from Ashington in Northumberland, is currently four months into a year-long unpaid programme with the Serrano Contemporary Art Gallery in Brooklyn.

He has already had three applications for funding rejected by the Arts Council UK and received more than 150 rejections from charitable organisations. Now his trip is in danger of being cut short if he is unable to gather around £6,000 to stay in the USA.

His dream would be to finish the course and return to share his expertise in the classroom with British schoolchildren.

He said: "I'm sorry to say the Arts Council UK do not wish to assist my project and unfortunately I have exhausted all other conceivable avenues of securing funding. My real desire is to return to England and become a teacher. I want to be able to share what I have learnt."

David attended Newcastle College for four years where he achieved a first-class degree in fine art. He now produces his own abstract oil paintings in his Manhattan apartment.

He said: "The last thing I want to do is cut short this trip because it is an amazing opportunity for me."

For more information about David and his work, visit www.thompson-art.co.uk

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