Artist from Nybro receives the first Ulrica Hydman Vallien scholarship

Ellen Ehk Åkesson resides and operates in Pukeberg and she is honored to be the first recipient of the scholarship.

- It feels fantastic. I had no idea about this, it is not a scholarship that I applied for, so I was very surprised when I got the phone call from the foundation's chairman, says Ellen Ehk Åkesson.

Ellen Ehk Åkesson was born in 1976 and has been active since 2002, she has been recognized for her works and public decorating assignments. She says that she did not know Ulrica Hydman Vallien well but that when they met she was peppery.

- Before I was established, she could come to the open studio round. She was always positive and thought it was good that I went my own way and encouraged it. She was always generous with encouragement and it has meant a lot that an established artist has provided support, which is not so common in the industry, says Ellen Ehk Åkesson.

After the artist Ulrica Hydman Vallien passed away in March 2018, a scholarship has been created in her name that will go to a young, promising and selfish artist. The foundation is the Vallien family, Kosta Boda and the Robert Weil family. In addition to SEK 90,000, the grantee also receives an invitation to do his own experiments in the cabin at Orrefors Kosta Boda.

- For the money I will invest in the art. I have many ideas on things I want to do but require expensive materials, so this is a welcome addition, ”says Ellen Ehk Åkesson.