Putting on a show!
School students from across Devon got the chance to showcase their work at Exeter College's Yard Art Gallery this week displaying a wide range of artwork including fine art, graphics, multimedia and photographic pieces.
Over 80 exhibits will be displayed until the beginning of February as part of the collaborative project with school children from St Peters and Isca in Exeter, Kingsbridge Community College, Budehaven Community School and Torquay Academy.
“We're delighted that this, our second schools art show, has generated such a high standard of work,” said Rob Bosworth, Assistant Principal. “The project was designed to engage creative school students and give them the opportunity to share their work in a public space in the city centre. We hope it helps to raise aspirations as well as giving them the opportunity to meet and work with some of our current art and design students. The college is working very closely with a number of local partners in the creative sector to raise the profile of the cultural arts and establish Exeter as a hub for artistic talent”.
The opening night of the exhibition enabled the winners of each category to be honoured in front of school and college staff, family and friends. Prizes were presented by Nigel Watts head of faculty who praised the high standard and commitment demonstrated in the show and talked about the positive future for students with creative talents.
Louis Rugg from Torquay Academy was the overall winner with a stunning collage portrait with Saffy Jones, also from Torquay Academy winning the Portrait drawing (Pencil) category.
Two students from Kingsbridge – Isaac Baber-Harris and Izzy Fardon scooped awards for portrait drawing (Ink pen) and sculpture while Charlotte Brooks from St Peters won the photography category for her depiction of high rise buildings and Moranne Dumas from Budehaven won the Book Works category for a collection of interesting pieces based on literary works.
“It was a very buzzy opening evening, said Helen Burak, deputy head of art and design “with lots of pupils, parents, extended family and friends as well as art teachers who came along to celebrate the pupils’ work. The high level of work in the exhibition, particularly the exceptional portrait pieces, reflects the national trend with a growth, particularly of specialist degrees in the drawing discipline area.”
The exhibition will be displayed from 22nd Jan to 5th Feb and the Yard gallery is open to the public weekdays 10am – 6pm.
