Awards & Nominations
Explore the recognition of Debbie Miller's artistic and academic practice, where institutional accolades reflect a sustained commitment to material inquiry, sensory experience, and embodied tension.
Art in Service of Community: South West Blood Bikes
Following a creative brief issued through Arts University Plymouth, I had the privilege of designing a promotional poster for South West Blood Bikes, a volunteer-led charity providing an invaluable service to healthcare organisations across Devon.
In recognition of this collaboration, Antony Hill and I were delighted to be invited to the official unveiling of the charity’s new premises in Roborough, Plymouth, alongside the introduction of Bertie, their newly donated blood bike. The occasion offered a wonderful opportunity to meet those whose dedication sustains this vital service and to witness the meaningful intersection of creative practice, community engagement and social responsibility. It was a privilege to contribute my artistic skills to an organisation whose work makes such a tangible difference to the lives of others.
The Maya Poetry Book Awards First Prize, 2026
Debbie Miller was awarded First Prize in the 2026 Maya Poetry Book Awards for her debut collection, Echoes of Silence, selected from an international field of submissions spanning more than twenty countries. Judged by poet Dave Lewis, the collection was recognised for its emotional candour, evocative imagery and distinctive poetic voice. The award marks a significant achievement in Miller’s developing literary practice, affirming Echoes of Silence as a compelling contribution to contemporary poetry and strengthening her emerging position across the fields of literature, visual art and interdisciplinary research.
The Judge’s Words
Judge Dave Lewis described Echoes of Silence as “not for the faint-hearted”, praising its “raw, open wounds” and the courage to confront difficult subjects with “such an honest, heartbreaking” voice. He further recognised Miller’s “mind-blowing metaphors and descriptions” as “the mark of a true genius poet”. The 2026 Maya Poetry Book Awards attracted entries from more than twenty countries, making the First Prize a significant international recognition of Miller’s debut collection and its distinctive poetic voice. Echoes of Silence is available to purchase at https://amzn.eu/d/0b6qbyHB.
I Came Back in Pieces - Deborah Miller
Recognition of a unique practice
These awards and nominations highlight that Debbie Miller’s practice operates at the intersection of artistic research, material investigation, and critical writing. This recognition has emerged from a sustained engagement with these processes, rather than being an aim in itself, affirming the depth and integrity of her work.
Awards & Nominations
Platform graduate award 2026
This award represents the most publicly visible and exhibition-facing recognition, directly linking the work to a curated national/platform exhibition context. It carries strong professional and curatorial weight, highlighting its significance within the contemporary art scene.
Pro vice-chancellor’s award (nomination) 2026
This is the strongest institutional academic recognition, signalling that Debbie Miller’s practice is not only artistically strong but also critically and academically outstanding within the university context.
University publication award 2026
This award is particularly important as it validates the dual practice of artist and writer, directly supporting the positioning of Debbie Miller as an artist-publisher, central to her artistic trajectory.