“Being selected for the Liberty Specialty Markets (LSM) Art Award has been an incredible start to my career”

When Kayleigh Peters graduated in 2021 with a BA in 3D Design and Craft, she started her own art practice and a year later she awarded the LSM Art Award. Here she tells us what the opportunity has meant for her.

“Being selected for the LSM Art Award has been an incredible start to my career.

“After finishing my degree, it was challenging to apply for any opportunities initially because of the impact COVID had on my degree. Because our access to the workshops was limited during lockdown, I finished my degree with a very small physical body of work.

“After spending the year developing the initial themes of my final project this allowed me to start applying for opportunities. There were some rejections which were hard to deal with but something you have to get used to; therefore, I was shocked to be selected for the LSM award. 

“The award offers a two-year mentorship programme run by Parker Harris, which is a fabulous team to be supported by and my selected works went on display in the Liberty Specialty Markets offices, in the Walkie Talkie building in London.  Already in the first few months they’ve helped me transform how I engage with my social media and website. I’ve had the chance to meet with the other awardees, getting to know them, as well as some of the staff of LSM. We’ve had opportunities to network with everyone at shows like Frieze and the London Art Fair.

“The award has encouraged me to focus on my studio practice, because I found after graduating it was hard to find focus in setting my own deadlines. I now also know where to apply for opportunities, so essentially the award has offered a sense of accountability to be consistent in my output.

“I would encourage all artist graduates to apply for awards like the LSM Art Award as they are key to understanding the art industry, and how you and your practice can be positioned within it. Ultimately, I am looking forward to continuing to learn and grow over the next year and a half with this award, which I hope will help me establish my practice, and enable me to work full-time on my studio practice.” 

You can see more of Kayleigh’s work on her website KayleighPetersceramics.co.uk and on her Instagram account Instagram.com/Kayleighpeters_ceramics

Since its launch in 2018, the Liberty Specialty Markets Art Award has supported 37 emerging artists as they transition from art schools and into the commercial art world. The award offers a two-year development programme, which includes mentoring, networking and workshops with support in creating a personal brand, on building gallery relationships and in writing project pitches. The artists who take part are also paid to exhibit their work in the London office of LSM.