Dog-loving graduate Minnie Teckman is putting canines on canvas
- thanks to entrepreneurial support from The University of
Northampton's Enterprise Inc project.
Enterprise Inc, which is being run by nine universities in the
East Midlands , aims to improve the enterprise skills and
entrepreneurship of 500 students and graduates across the
region.
At The University of Northampton, 26 six graduates have been
given a place on the project this year - one of whom is 38-year-old
BA (Hons) Fine Art Drawing and Painting graduate Minnie, who has
launched her new 'Project Dog Walk', business thanks to the
Enterprise Inc cash bursary of £2,500 and business support
worth £3,000 from the University.
Minnie, a fine artist who works from the University-based
Portfolio Innovation Centre, said: "My previous experience as a
veterinary nurse inspired me to create an art project with a
difference.
"I have started my business by engaging the local community in
my project and using dog walkers as my models for fine art drawings
and paintings. I am aiming to put on an exhibition of drawings and
paintings which will feature 100 local dog walkers. The exhibition
will be opened by a fundraising dog show and followed by a few days
of art workshops, which will be run by artists from the wider
community.
"My ambition is that this project will be a springboard towards
a lifelong career as a self representing artist. The funding from
Enterprise Inc will help towards the cost of public relations and
advertising and is really helping me turn my idea into a
reality."
Sharon Irwin, Enterprise Club Manager at The University of
Northampton, added: "Our Enterprise Inc project is just one way we
are able to help our students, recent graduates and academics who
have an idea and want to convert it into a real business
venture.
"Supporting and encouraging enterprise and entrepreneurs is very
important to the University. We are demined to prepare our students
for graduate level jobs, either as employees or as entrepreneurs
running their own businesses. We want to enable our expert academic
staff to spin-out new ventures to commercialise their knowledge,
and we want to be a resource for businesses and would-be
entrepreneurs throughout Northamptonshire and our local region."