University opens doors for free annual exhibition
A dress made of glue, a plastic bottle greenhouse and an innovative architectural project designed to tackle homelessness in Preston are just some of the exciting pieces of work on display at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).
UCLan is inviting the local community to see just how creative its students are at an annual free festival of events showcasing the very best of final year work in architecture, design, fashion and fine art.
The 2016 Degree Shows (DS16) began with the Private View on 10 June and is open to the general public, schools, colleges and businesses until Friday 17 June. Visitors will see an eclectic range of work that is entertaining, thought-provoking, imaginative and inventive with some artwork available to buy.
Dr Andrew Ireland, Executive Dean of UCLan’s College of Culture and the Creative Industries, said: “The students have worked hard to create something for a range of audiences and this year’s Degree Shows have something to offer visitors of all ages, backgrounds and interests."
"This annual showcase allows us to share the amazing talent of our creative students which never fails to impress year on year. We are keen to engage with people living, working and studying in the region."
“This annual showcase allows us to share the amazing talent of our creative students which never fails to impress year on year. We are keen to engage with people living, working and studying in the region and I would encourage as many people as possible to come along and enjoy the exhibitions which give the public a great opportunity to see what excellent and unique work these students have produced across a wide range of disciplines.”
In addition, eleven students were rewarded through the DS16 Awards event sponsored by Creative Lancashire. The awards are held each year at the beginning of the UCLan Degree Shows to recognise the most outstanding work from each discipline of architecture, design, fashion, fine art, media and performance. They were judged by Mark Bickerton, Head of Editorial Engagement ITV Soaps, and Beverley Wood, the Owner and Creative Director of BWD Limited, Interior Architects.
Mark commented: “It was a pleasure to judge this year's Awards, where the hard work, dedication and sheer talent on show were remarkable. Deciding the overall winner in each category was extremely challenging, such was the high standard and brilliance of the work. I am extremely impressed by UCLan’s facilities and its staff's care of its students, and am sure that graduates will go on to form brilliant careers.”
Beverley said: “I was thrilled to be invited to judge the DS16 Awards at UCLan and see all of the student end-of-year work. Having been part of last year’s awards, the standard of the work was exceptional and the bar has certainly been raised this year.
“As owner of a creative studio here in the North West, I would urge companies to check out the winners and nominees this year. So many of these students are ‘work ready’. Well done to all the nominees and congratulations to the winners. It was a tough one to call this year and all of the students should be very proud of their achievements.”
The creative gongs were given to Neil Bennison, William Butterworth, Tina Dempsey, Tom Hardman, Declan Holgate, Ben Hunter, Isabelle Jordan, Sean Roche, Bethany Wellman, Kyleasha Williams and Wanjun Zhang. Winner of the Great Pottery Throwdown and UCLan alumni Matthew Wilcock and the Managing Director of computer generated animation company RealTimeUK Tony Prosser were special guests at the event.
"We have many talented students here at the University and this annual awards ceremony showcases and rewards some of this outstanding work."
Tony Prosser presented the students with their awards. He said: “I was very pleased and proud to be asked to say a few words at this year’s DS16 Awards and present 11 awards for a variety of different design and creative based specialisms.
“It was great to see that UCLan offers such a broad selection of courses covering a number of different niches – many of which have reached a high standard both creatively and technically. I wish all of the 2016 graduates every success as they embark on their creative careers.”
UCLan Vice-Chancellor Professor Mike Thomas said: “We have many talented students here at the University and this annual awards ceremony showcases and rewards some of this outstanding work.
“Although only 11 students can win a DS16 Award, all those who were nominated should feel immensely proud of their achievements. They have already demonstrated the skills, the drive and the motivation to succeed and in the years to come I’m sure their creative talent will shine through, just as it has done for so many of our graduates from the creative disciplines who have studied here.”
The campus wide display of work, from students studying in the School of Art, Design and Fashion, the Grenfell-Baines Institute for Architecture and the School of Film Media and Performance, is spread out across four UCLan buildings.
Admission is free. For more information DS16 visitors can call 01772 894106 or look online to learn more about exhibition and performance times and locations. Car parking is also free on the University’s car parks during DS16 and visitors can download and print a parking permit to display in their windscreen by visiting the event’s website .
People can follow the event’s progress via Twitter using the hashtags #DS16 and #UCLanDegreeShows View images of DS16 student work on Flickr.