Posted by 
A buddy artist who has set up her own creative business after leaving college has received a funding boost.
This month, Cardinal Newman College awarded their first Angela Hunt Legacy Award.
The £5,000 award was given to a promising artist to help fund their creative businesses after they left the college.
Read more: In pictures: Touring The Vault as Preston Youth Zone takes shape
The winner, Eva Darling Walmsley, studied Textiles, Digital Photography, and English Combined at the Preston city centre college from 2017 to 2019.
After leaving college, Eva dedicated herself to her artwork, seeking experience with local design-based companies, including John Mark wallcovering manufacturers from Leyland and Beaumont Textiles in Chorley.
The experience eventually led her to work for the Graham and Brown marketing team and to create her brand, Eva Darling Designs.
The brand sees Eva create products and soft furnishing, all featuring her unique artwork.
Receiving this award, which was set up in honour of Angela Hunt, a late former art teacher who worked at Newman, Eva said she had big plans to help grow her brand and her business.
Eva said: “The award has had such a positive impact on my business so far. I have created a really careful plan for how I am going to put the money to best use for developing my business.
“It has allowed me to make some big investments in my business that I would not have been able to afford otherwise.
“I’m really excited to be able to put my designs out there.”
So far, the fund has allowed Eva to produce accessories to take with her to trade fairs, helping her catch the eyes of other industry members.
Read more: Turner Prize winning Preston artist to represent Great Britain at global art festival
Eva has already diversified into other areas such as sip and paint classes and collaborations with local businesses.
Subscribe: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox.
Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines
