AN ARTIST from Davenham is going from Navigation Road to New York after winning a part-scholarship from a prestigious academy.

Amy Hughes, who is holding her first solo exhibition in Northwich this month, will study a Masters in Fine Art at the New York Academy of Art thanks to the unexpected funding.

She said: “I was overwhelmed not only to be offered a place but a part-scholarship; it gives me more confidence in my work.

“Since graduating from Liverpool Hope last year, I have been busy creating a body of work for my portfolio as part of my application, but I never thought I’d actually get in!

“Having the opportunity to study in New York is a very exciting prospect because it is the centre of so much that is going on in the art world.”

The 21-year-old, from Royal Gardens, went to Cransley School and Sir John Deane’s College before studying at Liverpool Hope University.

“Art was something I always enjoyed and that seemed to come quite naturally,” she said.

“During high school and college I began to develop my practice and my art teachers Jill West and Andy Marshall encouraged me that it was something I could pursue further.”

Amy specialises in figurative art and uses oil paint, which she says creates the best skin-like appearance and texture.

“I found that I was interested in people and how painting depictions of the human form could affect people’s perceptions of different issues,” she said.

“It was this that influenced the direction of my work towards challenging the representation of the female body, both in art history and contemporary visual culture.”

Her exhibition will be held at Northwich’s ArtWork Studios and Gallery, in Navigation Road, from March 20 to 29.

“I’m really excited and grateful to Carolyn at the ArtWork Gallery for giving me the chance to hold it there, the whole process of organising and curating is something I have enjoyed a lot,” she said.

“I really want to continue producing my own work and exhibiting it because it is something I really enjoy.

“Alongside this I hope to go into teaching to give other aspiring artists the kind of support and encouragement that I have been given during college and university.”

Carolyn Shepherd, from ArtWork Studios and Gallery, said: “Amy has been working conscientiously with us here in the Studios for a half day every week for seven months to create work for her portfolio to support her MA application.

“Amy has the level of dedication and commitment to build a professional practice and it comes as no surprise to me that she has earned this life changing opportunity to study in New York.”

For more information visit artworkstudios.co.uk and amyvhughes.com.