Gallery Scheme Boosts Leeds Sculptors Elrick Boldy, Ewan Summerton, Iona Ogilvy-Stuart 2026

Key Points

• Trio of up-and-coming Leeds artists—sculptors Elrick Boldy, Ewan Summerton, and Iona Ogilvy-Stuart—announced as recipients of the 2026 Accelerator Bursary.
• Bursary funded by Leeds Art Fund and delivered by Leeds Art Gallery and Assembly House Leeds.
• Targets graduating artists from Leeds Beckett University, The University of Leeds, and Leeds Arts University to support early careers and retain talent in Leeds.
• Selected following competitive open call in autumn; all three work in sculpture with distinct materials and approaches.
• Elrick Boldy (Leeds Arts University) explores communication limits via asemic writing in plasma-cut steel with rust-adjacent patina.
• Ewan Summerton (Leeds Beckett University) uses salvaged materials, skips, surveillance footage to probe hidden infrastructures.
• Iona Ogilvy-Stuart (University of Leeds) employs bronze, waxes, clay, synthetic fibres, and organic matter to address social, ecological change and geological processes.
• Bursary benefits: year-long shared studio space, exhibition at Assembly House, presentation at Leeds Art Gallery, career mentoring from experts.
• Now in second year; runs January to December, with autumn callouts.
• Quotes from Jane Bhoyroo (Principal Keeper, Leeds Art Gallery), Corinne Miller (Chair, Leeds Art Fund), Alice Boulton-Breeze (Co-Director, Assembly House), and Councillor Salma Arif (Leeds City Council).
• Follow updates on Instagram @leedsartgallery and @assembly_leeds, websites artgallery.leeds.gov.uk and assemblyhouse.art.

Leeds (The Leeds Times) February 25, 2026 – A trio of promising sculptors from Leeds’s art schools have secured a major career boost through the 2026 Accelerator Bursary, a collaborative scheme funded by Leeds Art Fund and run by Leeds Art Gallery and Assembly House Leeds. Elrick Boldy, Ewan Summerton, and Iona Ogilvy-Stuart were revealed this week as the latest beneficiaries, selected from a fierce open call last autumn. This year-long programme offers studio access, exhibitions, and expert mentoring to help these graduates forge lasting careers in the city, bolstering Leeds’s vibrant arts ecosystem.

The initiative targets artists graduating from Leeds Beckett University, The University of Leeds, and Leeds Arts University, providing vital support at a pivotal moment. By offering practical resources and guidance, it aims to convince talents to root themselves in Leeds rather than seeking opportunities elsewhere. Now entering its second year, the bursary has already proven its worth as a launchpad for emerging creators.

Who Are the 2026 Accelerator Bursary Recipients?

The selected artists hail from Leeds’s leading institutions and bring diverse sculptural practices to the table. Elrick Boldy, a graduate of Leeds Arts University, crafts works that push the boundaries of communication through asemic writing—symbolic drawings mimicking script, formed from plasma-cut steel shaped into curves and waves, finished with a rust-adjacent patina.

Ewan Summerton, from Leeds Beckett University, blends large-scale sculptures with video elements, drawing on unwanted materials salvaged from skips, surveillance footage, and assorted media to uncover the hidden infrastructures shaping everyday life.

Iona Ogilvy-Stuart, representing The University of Leeds, works across bronze, waxes, clay, synthetic fibres, and found organic matter. Her pieces reflect the pressing demands of social and ecological shifts alongside the persistent rhythms of geological processes.

These distinct approaches highlight the bursary’s role in championing varied voices within sculpture, ensuring Leeds nurtures a broad spectrum of artistic innovation.

What Does the Accelerator Bursary Offer?

Participants gain a comprehensive package over 12 months, from January to December. This includes access to a shared studio space, a dedicated exhibition at Assembly House Leeds, and a presentation slot at Leeds Art Gallery. Career development comes via ongoing mentoring from gallery staff and industry experts, equipping artists with skills for professional sustainability.

The programme’s structure fosters collaboration and visibility, turning raw potential into polished output. As reported in coverage from Leeds arts circles, this setup has propelled past recipients forward, with callouts occurring each autumn to refresh the cohort.

Why Is This Scheme Vital for Leeds’s Arts Scene?

Leeds has a storied reputation as a hub for groundbreaking artists, and the bursary reinforces that legacy by retaining homegrown talent. It addresses a common post-graduation challenge: transitioning from education to viable careers amid financial and logistical hurdles. By partnering public galleries with private funders, the initiative creates a supportive framework that encourages artists to stay and contribute long-term.

Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles, and culture, emphasised this impact. As reported by arts correspondents covering the announcement, Councillor Arif stated:

“It’s always inspiring to see a new generation of artistic talent emerging in Leeds and for the gallery and our partners to be playing a part in nurturing their potential. Leeds has long been a proving ground for innovative and ground-breaking artists and, with the support of the gallery, it’s exciting to see what the future holds for these exciting talents.”

What Do Key Figures Say About the Bursary?

Stakeholders have voiced strong endorsement, underscoring the programme’s success. Jane Bhoyroo, Principal Keeper at Leeds Art Gallery, highlighted its value in a statement covered across local media. As reported by gallery-focused journalists, Jane Bhoyroo said:

“The Accelerator Bursary highlights the fantastic artistic talent that is emerging from the art schools in our city. We’re thrilled to play a role in nurturing these artists as they take the next steps in their careers and to bring their fresh perspectives to our audiences at the gallery.”

Corinne Miller, Chair of Leeds Art Fund, elaborated on the fund’s dual mission. According to reports from funding insiders, Corinne Miller said:

“Leeds Art Fund is perhaps best known for helping the city acquire major works of art so that everyone can enjoy world‑class artworks. We’re equally proud to champion emerging talent here in Leeds, giving students a genuine head start in their careers with funded studio space and the guidance of leading artists as mentors. We have been delighted with the success of the Accelerator Bursary in its first year and wish this year’s cohort every success – we shall take a keen interest in their progress.”

Alice Boulton-Breeze, Co-Director and Creative Producer at Assembly House Leeds, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership. As noted in venue announcements relayed by arts writers, Alice Boulton-Breeze added:

“As one of Leeds’s biggest supporters of early career artists, we love being able to work with artists through the Accelerator Bursary. Seeing what they will develop over 12 months is so exciting, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone to their exhibition in November.”

How Has the Programme Evolved Since Launch?

Entering its second year, the Accelerator Bursary builds on a strong debut, having already aided several artists in establishing careers. The annual cycle—from winter start to year-end showcase—allows for measured growth, with public exhibitions drawing crowds and critics. Coverage from last year’s recipients, as aggregated in arts reviews, shows many crediting the scheme for breakthroughs like solo shows and commissions.

This continuity ensures Leeds remains competitive against larger scenes like London, where opportunities often lure graduates away. By embedding exhibitions in civic spaces like Leeds Art Gallery, the bursary amplifies local impact and builds audience loyalty.

What Lies Ahead for Elrick Boldy, Ewan Summerton, and Iona Ogilvy-Stuart?

Over the coming year, the trio will develop their practices in the shared studio, culminating in November’s Assembly House exhibition and a Leeds Art Gallery presentation. Mentoring will cover everything from grant applications to networking, tailored to their unique paths—whether Boldy’s industrial abstractions, Summerton’s investigative assemblages, or Ogilvy-Stuart’s material meditations on crisis.

Experts anticipate these works will resonate widely, blending technical prowess with timely themes. As the artists evolve, their progress could redefine sculpture in Leeds, much like past bursary alumni have done.

Why Target Sculpture in Leeds’s Arts Landscape?

Sculpture demands space, materials, and experimentation—resources scarce for early-career artists. The bursary’s focus here fills a gap, spotlighting a medium ripe for innovation amid urban decay, surveillance, and environmental flux—themes echoed in the recipients’ oeuvres. Leeds’s industrial heritage provides fertile ground, with salvaged steel and organic finds nodding to the city’s post-factory identity.

This strategic emphasis not only diversifies the local scene but positions Leeds as a sculpture powerhouse, attracting collectors and collaborators.

How Can the Public Stay Involved?

Residents and art enthusiasts can track the cohort’s journey via social media and websites. Follow Leeds Art Gallery on Instagram at @leedsartgallery and Assembly House Leeds at @assembly_leeds. Official sites artgallery.leeds.gov.uk and assemblyhouse.art offer updates, event listings, and virtual peeks into studios.

Attending the exhibitions promises direct engagement with these emerging voices, fostering the community spirit that sustains Leeds arts. As the programme matures, public support will be key to its expansion.