A young furniture designer from Ayrshire has been shortlisted for the 2010 Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) Jolomo Awards taking place in Oban next month.

Stuart Mutch (26) founder of Break The Mould Furniture based in Ibrox is one of seven finalists whose work is being considered by John Lowrie Morrison [Jolomo] for the prestigious award and £3000 cash prize.

The Jolomo PSYBT Awards were launched in March 2008 with the help of a £10,000 donation from Jolomo to inspire more young people with arts and crafts backgrounds living in North West Scotland and the Highlands and Islands to set up their own businesses.

This year the awards have been extended to eligible arts and crafts businesses throughout Scotland and the prize money has been increased, reflecting the John Lowrie Morrison’s aspirations for encouraging creative arts in Scotland. A textile designer from Dundee, womenswear designer from Edinburgh, and a glass sculptress from Musselburgh are among those attending the finals which are taking place at Jolomo’s Kranenburg Gallery in Oban on the 9th December 2010.

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Mr Mutch had been unemployed prior to starting his business, which he succeeded in getting off the ground in February 2009 thanks to funding and advice from PSYBT. The young craftsman specialises in contemporary furniture design using traditional craft processes, locally sourced hardwoods and natural oils. He often incorporates elements of a clients’ lifestyle or personality in the design to produce a truly bespoke item, whether it is a coffee table or an occasional chair. Mr Mutch also restores reclaimed furniture and recycles all the wood shavings and waste material to provide heating for the workshop as part of his eco contribution to the environment.

Commenting Mark Strudwick, Chief Executive of PSYBT, said:“Jolomo is without a doubt one of Scotland’s best loved contemporary artists and we are delighted to be joined with him in this partnership which serves to provide increased business start-up opportunities and recognition for young people in the creative arts sector in Scotland.”

Congratulating the finalists John Lowrie Morrison said: "We have been delighted by the quality of applications which was extremely high. I have been a long term fan of PSYBT and am thrilled to be involved with them in this initiative. I hope that these Awards will encourage a renewed passion for Scottish arts and crafts by showcasing the talent and creativity of Scotland’s young people.”

(GK/KMcA)