The Power of Art: Josephine Butler Art Competition
The Josephine Butler Memorial Trust seeks to raise public recognition of Josephine and has a particular focus on engaging young people. As Josephine was very much a creative person and enjoyed art, what better way to get her name out there than to hold an art competition? The competition, launched in January 2022, is open to all Liverpool Hope University students. The Trust has a close relationship with the University, with a hall of residence named after Josephine. To enter, students will create a piece of art, which can be anything from a dance to poetry, which captures the essence of Josephine’s commitment to combat violence against women.
This is a perfect opportunity for anyone with a creative streak. There are no barriers or limitations within this competition, so students can really get out of their comfort zone and try something a bit different. Students may be thinking “I’m not an art specialist” or “I’ve got too much studying to do.” Well firstly, they don’t have to be an art student. Art can be anything, so students are called to use their imagination and let their creative energies flow. Secondly, this could be the perfect side project alongside their studies that allows them to focus their attention elsewhere for a while. It might help them relax in the midst of a dissertation or while doing a professional placement. The deadline isn’t until the 15th of June, so there’s plenty of time to work on their pieces. With two prizes of £500 and a top prize of £1000, there’s nothing to lose!
Josephine helped so many women through her tireless campaigning, but it was a long time ago and her name and achievements are still not widely recognised. Art plays such a huge role in raising awareness around so many different topics, especially here in Liverpool. Principal Lecturer in the School of Creative and Performing Arts at Hope, Dr. Niamh Malone, encourages students to take part and acknowledges the work of Josephine and the place of art in changing societal views;
“What a wonderful opportunity for Liverpool Hope University students to embrace! The Josephine Butler Trust recognises the power of art in making social change. To honour Josephine Butler's ground-breaking reforms in the Victorian era and the changes she instigated that continue to benefit vulnerable women and children today, the Trust invites you to find inspiration in Josephine’s story...”
With the power of art, students’ creative souls and Josephine’s amazing work, it’s guaranteed that people will start hearing her name a lot more often.