Bethlem Gallery is delighted to share here the works of the 2023 Founders Prize Award Winners: Lana Wilkin, Toko Larsi and J. Bedford.

Every year as part of the Bethlem Art Fair, we invite a judge to select three artists for the Founders Prize, highlighting artists who are submitting work for the first time. Awardees receive a prize of £100 and are invited to be part of an exhibition later in 2024. 

This year we asked Sheryll Catto to judge the award. Sheryll is artistic director and CEO of ActionSpace, who work with learning disabled artists across London as a Creative Hub, Supported Studio and Artist Development Agency. Sheryll joined ActionSpace initially as Co-Director in 2008, having worked in the creative sector for over 25 years. 

Sheryll said: ‘It was a joy and honour to be asked to select the Founder’s Award artists.  It was a difficult choice as I was really impressed by all the work on display. In the end I was most drawn to the artworks where I could see the artist’s journey emerge from their body of work. The chosen artists stood out for sharing a sensitive approach in their subject and technique. I felt all three had a story they needed to tell and that we needed to hear it.’