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The Charles Bracken Award

The Charles Bracken Award is in honour of Charles Bracken MBE, who was a founding Director and recent Chairman of SANE.

He died on 27 January 2020 after giving 35 years of his life in supporting the charity and pioneering its development.

The award, which is part of the SANE Creative Awards Scheme, is made annually in recognition of exceptional talent in communicating the relationship between creative achievement and mental illness.

The winner is shortlisted from the awards scheme applicants and selected by SANE representatives, professional artists from the Open College of the Arts and Charles’ wife, Madeline Bracken.

“Without Charles’ life-affirming presence and encouragement, SANE would not have come into existence, let alone flourished for the last three decades.”

Marjorie Wallace CBE, SANE Founder and Chief Executive

They receive £1,000 (runner-up £400), which can be used towards the cost, for example, of materials, enrolment on courses and exhibitions.

The Charles Bracken Award is supported by Madeline and the family.

“Art is clearly so important in supporting feelings and messages about mental health and it was a privilege to be able to see all the entries. Charles would have been deeply moved and thankful that art provides so many benefits to mental health.

“In judging the artistic works for Charles’ award I have considered three main criteria: the artists skill and technique, the messages that they are depicting in their work and the genre.”

Madeline Bracken

Three figures dance around orange glowing orbs

Winner – Tina Rogers

Tina works across different media and many subjects inspire her. Winning the £1,000 Charles Bracken Award enables her to buy materials and continue her work.

“Painting has given me a purpose. Expressing myself through art has given me a reason to live.

“I am down to the last squeeze in all my paints. I cannot afford to buy more and heat the living room. Thank you for this opportunity.”

Picture: 3 Gracies by Tina Rogers


Orange butterflies with black outer edges on their wings around flowering buds, set against a bright blue celestial background

Runner-up – Daniel Hessle

Painting and photography have given Daniel a positive focus in recent years. His art has helped him to gain self-belief and he is using his award towards the cost of canvas and paint

“Often I include solitary aspects that depict how I feel, yet they are surrounded by the beauty of our existence, mostly relating to my love of nature.”

Picture: Butterfly Gazing by Daniel Hessle


Past award-winners
Three figures inside transparent bubbles on a chessboard in the sky

Winner – Camille Ormston

Camille shifts between painting, drawing, sculpture, photography and poetry. The award meant she was able to mount her first exhibitionCreating art helped her to manage the uncertainty and isolation of lockdown. She receives £1,000.

“I explore the human condition. The unconscious and conscious mental states – nature and life’s journey.”

Picture: Miles To Go Before I Sleep by Camille Ormston


A path set in colourful forest is illuminated by a mysterious light

Runner-up – Ashley Ferrari

Ashley is using her award to buy larger canvases and hire studio space. She receives £400.

“I use oils and like to explore using colour and light to create feelings of peace and serenity in the viewer. I paint with the aim of soothing the viewer and creating the feelings of peace and serenity that I so crave myself.”

Picture: Forest Path by Ashley Ferrari


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