Art and Design Show 2011 - Opening Night

The 2011 Art and Design Show opened on Friday (10th June) with “a level of excitement and positivity that was almost tangible.” Dr Astrid Herhoffer, Dean of Faculty, described the night as such, adding: “Your work demonstrates not only your knowledge and skills, but your burning desire to learn and experience more.”

Guest speaker, Oscar nominated animator Barry Purves (Left), also spoke highly of the graduating students. He said: “Passion is more important than anything, and I have seen that in the work here today. “You are proud of your work. Keep that. Do not ever let it die. Enjoy your careers: That is the secret.”

The opening ceremony incorporated announcing the winners of the Scarhall Prize, Natasha Rock and Julia Jowett, who both studied Surface Pattern Design. The award is given to those judged to have overcome difficulties in their studies.

New for 2011 was the Creative CV competition, won by Graphic Design student John Ellis (Right), whose poster-style CV had the strapline “introducing a small name with big ideas”.
After the ceremony, students and their friends and families dispersed to enjoy the displays, the atmosphere and free-flowing drinks.

VFX student Dan Grice particularly seemed to appreciate that the hard work was now over. He said: “I was working on my project right up until the last two hours before handing it in, just tweaking bits. “It’s been such an interesting year because, as a final year student, you get to use what you’ve learnt in the first two years and follow your own path and creativity, helped along of course, by the facilities. I was so impressed with them; the equipment has changed how I work as a digital artist. It’s phenomenal.”

Photography student Jess Hastings took a more home-grown approach to her display, which she is promoting using furniture taken from the streets of Stoke. She said: “It’s called upcycling, it’s a real community thing. I took a bed and, and with a little work, made it into a table. “For my project I created 18 characters called the Oopsidoodles. They’ve all got their own back stories and they feature in different formats, like Ebooks. I really wanted to embrace multimedia, as well as bring some joy to people, and help make adults enjoy reading to children.”

First time visitor, Kirsty Thorpe was impressed by the students’ “extremely professional work.”

Senior lecturer in Advertising and Brand Management John Delacruz added: “It’s a cracking year this year. A lot of our students end up working in London. By September, we usually have about 80 per cent of them in paid employment.

With the show, it’s taken us a while to arrive at a format that showcases what we do, but is interesting to visitors.”
Painter Sue Edwards, whose son’s girlfriend is exhibiting at the show, agreed. “There’s a tremendous buzz here. I didn’t want to miss it, and the work is excellent and so inspiring.

Show is open to the public until Saturday 18th June.

Watch:Highlights of SHOW 2011 at Youtube 

Report by Rachel Stretton