In February, Willowbank School of Restoration Arts unveiled a tremendous investment from the Humeniuk Foundation: a $200,000 donation to the School. This five-year scholarship program was created to help students spend a summer at a top European heritage summer school. The scholarship’s official title - the Humeniuk Scholarship at Willowbank: Unleashing Minds, Transforming Lives - certainly lived up to its promise!
Four Willowbank students were awarded the Humeniuk Scholarship at Willowbank, receiving a $10,000 bursary covering tuition, travel, and modest living costs. July saw two students attend Messors Art Conservation and Restoration workshop in Italy, while the other two students attended the King’s Foundation Summer School at Dumfries House in Scotland, where students develop their knowledge of traditional architecture, design, building and repair techniques.
When asked about her experience at Messors School, student Claire Brinkworth responded stating, “Where to start, this trip is a time in my life that I will truly cherish and remember forever, it was honestly the best month of my life. The Messors program is an experience that I wish everyone could do at least once in their lives.” The experience broadened her perspective on conservation worldwide, and provided clarity on career possibilities as a conservationist.
These are exactly the outcomes and benefits that Andrew Humeniuk, Executive Director of the Humeniuk Foundation and The Brown Homestead in St Catharines, believed that this scholarship would create, stating, "In our experience, the summer schools allow them invaluable access to additional perspectives and knowledge that benefit them in their careers and are also shared with their peers, Willowbank and the heritage sector itself.”
Student Bailey Sprenger was equally inspired by the experience at Messors and its global instructors and colleagues, commenting, “I walk away from the Messor’s experience with a changed perspective on heritage. That is, that materials need to be preserved, not only because of aesthetics, but for their value. For the understanding they provide, not only because they are part of the past. Conservation is part of the future, and I am humbled and inspired to be a part of that future.”
Creating and learning were also at the heart of the King’s Foundation program. Student Julia Hodgson shared that it was an honour to be enveloped in so much passion for preserving the intangible heritage – whether that be stone carving, heather thatching or tile vaulting. She added, “I feel very grateful to my instructors for their willingness to share their experiences, formulas, and life’s work.”
Willowbank President Dr. Faisal Arain said the Humeniuk Scholarship has given students access to world-class heritage training. This adds yet another layer to the Willowbank experience, and broadens the depth of knowledge from the diploma program. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Humeniuk Foundation. Read more here.