QEST Scholarships

Carlyn Lindsay is a designer-maker creating bespoke commissions and pieces for private collections. Her process is unique, laminating British sycamore with veneers in a self-designed press, and turning the blocks on a woodturning lathe, by hand to reveal graphic lines and bold forms before finishing each piece. With QEST support, she will train with master woodturners Colwin Way, Richard Findley and Ulf Jansson in Sweden, as well as silversmith Lillo Pisano and gilder Richard Walker.

'I am a passionate maker and feel privileged to be awarded this grant, enabling me to push the boundaries further with my work.'

Alex O’Connor is a Cornwall-based silversmith whose work is rooted in a background in Fine Art and Sculpture. Her silverware is defined by a sculptural understanding of form, balance and surface — combining traditional techniques with a contemporary visual language. Inspired by the Cornish landscape, Alex begins her creative process through walking, drawing and model making, creating both functional and sculptural silver pieces with refined, tactile surfaces and a sense of quiet precision. With support from QEST, Alex will undertake one-to-one training with master silversmith and 2000 QEST Scholar Rod Kelly in Shetland, Scotland.

'My silversmithing practice is led by hands-on exploration and problem-solving, and the QEST scholarship represents both a commitment to mastering my craft and a vital opportunity to reconnect with the creative, technical, and professional edge of my practice.'