THE latest round of artists who have been successful in applying for ArtHouse Jersey’s development grants have been announced.
The quarterly funding initiative offers financial assistance to support the creation and development of artistic works.
Projects in the most recent quarter involve film and TV projects, music, a novel, and visual art.
Jonny Labey
Hollyoaks Actor Jonny Labey has been awarded funding for the development of his new film Gi. The funding will go towards capturing the initial footage for the film, which will later be used as a proof of concept to secure further investment for the full production.
Gi delves into themes of masculinity, vulnerability, and personal reclamation.
Mr Labey, a former Victoria College student, has previously been awarded a development grant in 2023 for his first short film Swirl State and he has since established a production company which develops original films based on personal life experiences.
He said: “ArtHouse Jersey has been instrumental to my life growing up in Jersey, through workshops, showcases or events they give so much variety to Jersey’s art scene. To now have been awarded a grant to develop my second film Gi is both hugely appreciated and a chance to help instill the ethos they gave to me onto the next generation of filmmakers on the Island. I’ve developed so much as a writer and director thanks to their support of my first film Swirl State last year and I am excited to work towards hosting local screenings.”
Minna Pemberton
Minna Pemberton has been awarded funding towards a three-month drawing course at the Royal Drawing School where the facilities, structure, and high level tuition will help to rebuild her portfolio as she is seeking to transition towards a fine art discipline.
As a multi-disciplinary artist with a background in illustration, this transition will explore deeper conceptual communication and technical refinement.
She said: “As a young artist, exposure to teaching is one of the most important aspects to developing your practice. Taking part in the Drawing Intensive is so important, as it provides me access to one of the most prestigious schools for drawing in the world, an opportunity to learn from esteemed practitioners in my chosen areas of etching, figure drawing and narrative illustration, as well as introduction to future opportunities for scholarships and teaching.”
Marc Hepburn
Marc Hepburn writes and produces indie music inspired by the classic 60s-era, writing lyrics based on personal experience with themes of freedom, travel, and finding purpose.
The development grant will allow him to record and release his first full length album. He said: “The grant will really help take my career to the next stage and I’m really excited to share the music that comes out from it.”
Jake Day
Previously working in film and television as a location manager, Jake Day is looking to develop his career by producing his own written works.
The grant has been awarded towards The Claimants – a series based on his experience of working in Jersey’s income support department, where he will now be able to develop the first episode and produce a pitch deck to present the series to producers.
Dullal Miah
Dullal Miah looks to amplify unheard voices and celebrate identity as a hyper-realism artist by using pencil portraiture and workshops.
He will be developing a new fiction book about growing up in care, with the grant going towards working with an editor for the book which will be aimed to serve as both a testimony and a guide for others experiencing a similar situation.
“ArtHouse Jersey’s funding will play a crucial role in supporting the development of my fiction book, which draws deeply from my personal experiences in care,” he said. “This support will provide the time, space, and resources needed to shape these memories into a powerful narrative that explores identity, resilience, and belonging. Through fiction, I aim to give voice to the often-unheard stories of those who grow up in care, and this funding will help bring that vision to life”.
James Roche
James Roche is best known for his energetic and melodic electric music productions and remixes. His grant will go towards the production of a 4-track EP for his new dance music project called ‘NOWHERE CALM’.
Paige Le Geyt
Paige Le Geyt is a sculptural artist who creates interactive, tactile sculptures, inviting people to touch and explore. Her work blends focuses on her lived experience of OCD and Autism.
She said that she is “very grateful for this opportunity from ArtHouse Jersey as it will allow me to take my artwork to interesting and exciting places”.
