A Delph artist is in the running for a prestigious painting prize and needs Saddleworth’s help to get her to the winning post.
Former primary school teacher Jane Braithwaite is a four to one shot to win the Silk Series Best Racing Picture Award by a Female Artist.
But the odds will shorten with every public vote received between now and the closing date at midnight Saturday, August 19. The winner will be announced on Monday, August 21.
Jane’s rivals for the accolade are: Laura-Barber-Riley, Sara Hodson and Glynis Mills. But she can see off the competition with backers showing their support via https://twitter.com/SilkSeries
Jane, who recently began painting again after a break of 40 years, is among a quartet of artists chosen from the Society of Equestrian Artists (SEA) Summer Exhibition, to go forward to a public vote.
This award supports The Silk Series, a new race series from Arena Racing Company (ARC) worth £100,000 providing opportunity to champion pioneering female jockeys hosted at nine Ladies’ Days at ARC racecourses between May and September.
The successful artist wins a £1,000 commission to produce a piece of work celebrating The Silk Series and female jockeys.
This will be presented to the overall winning jockey of The Silk Series after the final race on Ladies’ Day of the St Leger Festival at Doncaster on September 14.
The commissioned artist will also receive an ARC Corporate Membership with access to all ARC courses during 2018 and the finished piece will hang at the 38th Annual Exhibition of the Society of Equestrian Artists – Horse in Art (September 23 to October 7 at Sally Mitchell’s Gallery at the Museum of the Horse in Tuxford, Nottinghamshire).
ARC Director of External Affairs and Women in Racing Committee member, Susannah Gill, said: “The Silk Series seeks to celebrate pioneering sportswomen and provide an opportunity for them to showcase their talent across our racecourses.
“We are delighted to partner with the Society of Equestrian Artists so that this award can provide a unique opportunity for a female artist to have their work recognised and celebrated as part of The Silk Series.”
Jane completed an Art Foundation course at Manchester College of Art in the early ’70s before going into teaching.
Later, she ran her own saddlery and country clothing business for 15 years.
Jane also competed in BHS eventing and dressage with her own horses. Now, with the competition years over, and the horses gone, she has returned to painting.
Jane has exhibited locally and nationally since 2014 and has won a number of awards for her work – Patchings Open Art Competition 2014 and Best in show at The Horse in Art 2016 Society of Equestrian Artists (SEA) Annual Open Exhibition, amongst others.
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