Emerald Life announces headline sponsorship of Emerald Winter Pride Art Awards 2016

Emerald Life today proudly announces headline sponsorship of the Emerald Winter Pride Art Award 2016.

At a special event to be hosted at the Islington Arts Factory on the evening of Friday 15th April, Emerald Life CEO, Heidi McCormack, will announce the winner and present them with a cheque for £1000.00

Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell will open the Art Awards at 6.30pm, ahead of the presentation of the prize money, donated by Emerald, to the winner(s).

The Emerald Winter Pride Art Awards is an international art competition that champions emerging artists regardless of their sexuality. The launch event will then be followed by a two-week special exhibition running until 29th April, during which members of the public can view the works for free. 

Emerald Life CEO, Heidi McCormack said, “Art is such a fundamental part of culture and community, of defining and recording who we are and how we see the world. It is a delight that by supporting the Emerald Winter Pride Art Awards, I am able to combine passion for the arts with passion for equality, both areas are so very important to me. As Chief Executive of Emerald, I am proud we are supporting this event and am looking forward to seeing all the Finalists at the Islington Arts Factory.” 

Peter Tacthell, who appeared on BBC Radio Kent praising the launch of Emerald earlier this week, echoed Heidi’s comments by adding, “The Emerald Winter Pride Art Awards is an example of how art can help shape people’s attitudes towards the LGBT+ community. Don’t accept the world as it is. Dream about what the world could be – then help make it happen.’ 

The Emerald Winter Pride Art Awards judging panel is made up of arts industry professionals, comprising Royal sculptor Frances Segelman, artist and curator Simon Tarrant, Islington Arts Factory Director of Visual Art Eleanor Pearce, freelance art writer and editor Anna McNay and philosopher and writer Daniel Barnes.

Simon Tarrant, Emerald Winter Pride Art Awards Director said, ‘In response to our theme, Line of Beauty – exploring sexuality, gender and identity, artists have submitted work that really challenges binary norms – the resulting exhibition will be a celebration of sexual and identity freedoms in all of their diversity.” 

Stephen Fry also added his support for the Emerald Winter Pride Art Awards, commenting, ‘The Emerald Winter Pride Art Awards is a unique opportunity for up-and-coming artists to showcase their creativity at a key LGBT+ artistic and cultural event – creative ventures of this kind are all-important for both the arts and LGBT+ communities. 

As a financial services company dedicated to providing the LGBT community with an equality of service missing to-date, supporting grassroots community initiatives like the Emerald Winter Pride Art awards are central to our business output. Steve Wardlaw, Chairman of Emerald Life concludes, “This is just what the third pillar of our business is all about- community give-back. We want to champion emerging talent from within the LGBT community, and supporting the Emerald Winter Pride Art Awards allows us to do just that. I wish all entrants the very best of luck.”

Please join Emerald Life from 6.30pm at the Islington Arts Factory on April 15th for the announcement of the winner of the Emerald Life Winter Pride Art Awards 2016.