Art & Design Students take part in ‘Ladders’ exhibition alongside esteemed local artists

The exhibition shines a light on a number of local artists and our very own talented students, who are on ‘various stages of their journey up the ladder’. The exhibition, which is scheduled to run until Sunday 26 May includes guest artists; Helen Terry, Rachel Muncey, Karl Burgess and Newcastle College staff, Kevin O’Donnell and Cheryl Smith.

Among those displaying their work is the great Kate Windsor, a mixed-media artist who hails from Biddulph and is based in Penkhull. Kate uses print methods and textiles, inspired by the Potteries and its people. In Kate’s own words, she tries to ‘capture the warmth of our city with a sense of comfort, familiarity and a dash of adventure’.

Longtonian Karl Burgess’s work is also prominent at Cherished Chimneys. As with Kate, Karl has always found inspiration among the streets, buildings and industrial heritage of the Potteries. Karl works across a number of mediums, but perhaps his most memorable pieces of work are his steel and metallic sculptures, including some quite stunning lamps that are reflective of the Potteries’ industrial aesthetic.

In a recent write up in the Sentinel, journalist David Proudlove said: “ The students’ work is mightily impressive, but the one piece that really stood out for me is ‘Identity’ by Britney Stroud, which chimes perfectly with the theme of the exhibition – artists establishing their own creative voice: an identity. It is a beautiful creation, and really spoke to me. If ‘Identity’ is anything to go by, Britney has a big future ahead of her.”

Cheryl Smith, Course Leader on the BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art & Design at Newcastle College said: “As artists we all have our own ladders to climb and begin our creative journey by putting a foot on the first rung. Our ladders may vary in height and our experiences may take us up or down. The important thing to remember is that we are all climbing together and that every rung on the journey is of equal importance in defining our creative practice. This exhibition celebrates the work of artists who are at different stages of the journey.”

The exhibition at Cherished Chimneys will remain open today until 3pm and then will reopen tomorrow, Saturday 25th May at 10am until 4pm and Sunday 26th May, from 1pm to 4pm.

Venue Address

Cherished Chimneys

34 Station Street, Longport, Stoke-on-Trent ST6 4NA

For more information on the BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art & Design at Newcastle College, please visit https://nscg.ac.uk/study/course-departments/art-design-media-photography-graphics/btec-foundation-diploma-in-art-and-design