News / 09 Sep 2025
Celebrating the 2025 Anthony Earnshaw Bursary winners
MA Animation
MA Creative Practice
MA Illustration with Graphic Novel
The annual Anthony Earnshaw Prize has been awarded to three MA students who exhibited work at the Made It Postgraduate Show 2025.
The bursary prize, now in its ninth year, was set up by artist Patrick Hughes in memory of his friend, the surrealist artist and fellow alumnus Anthony Earnshaw.
Once again, the brilliant Patrick Hughes judged the award and awarded first prize to MA Animation’s Margot Folch, and runners-up awards to Abbie Mooney, MA Illustration with Graphic Novel, and Dan Messenger, MA Creative Practice.
"Margot Folch’s work is very inventive. The Lantern Keeper in the flood of light is Earnshavian. I will say that I am very impressed with the high standard of creativity, application, innovation and resourcefulness in making and mark-making. Dan Messenger’s kitchen interior and house exterior and model-making was brilliant, and Abbie Mooney’s railway work – very professional."
Patrick Hughes, Artist and Leeds Arts University Alumni
"It’s an honour to receive this award and I’m thankful for the support I’ve received from the university, especially from Joe and Michael. I’m deeply touched by Patrick Hughes’ selection and generous words about my work; having it described as Earnshavian is beyond anything I could have hoped for. ULO was a deeply personal film made in tribute to a close friend, so seeing it resonate with others feels especially meaningful. This recognition means more than I can express, it has truly made my year."
Margot Folch, MA Animation
"I am delighted to have been selected for the Anthony Earnshaw bursary prize. My MA has been an opportunity to really hone and develop my printmaking, on a topic I feel so passionately about - railway heritage, so it is a real honour to have this work recognised. The award will enable me to push this work forward as I continue to develop my practice upon graduation."
Abbie Mooney, MA Illustration with Graphic Novel
"Being shortlisted for the Anthony Earnshaw bursary prize is such an unexpected and exciting honour. I am so grateful for all the support I have received from my tutors and the friends I have met on my creative journey at Leeds Art University. The standard of work at the Postgraduate End of Year Show was a credit to all the students and highlights the outstanding work everyone has worked hard to achieve."
Dan Messenger, MA Creative Practice
Four students were shortlisted for consideration alongside Margot, Abbie and Dan, for this year’s award. Alexandra Conroy (MA Worldbuilding with Creature Design), Phee Jefferies (MA Fine Art), Lana Seabrook (MA Graphic Design), Teresa Weldrick (MA Digital Fashion, now MA Fashion) all received positive feedback from Patrick and being shortlisted is a significant recognition of their achievements.
"Tony Earnshaw was a poet and a painter and a novelist, an aphorist, and best-known as a maker of original and witty box art. In his memory, as an artist and a surrealist and an anarchist, a life-lover and constant friend, the Anthony Earnshaw Bursary rewards these students for their imagination and talented work."
Patrick Hughes, Artist and Leeds Arts University Alumni