Creative students showcase work in national virtual exhibition

Launching today, Thursday 4 June, the virtual exhibition, titled ‘At home’, includes work from talented young artists up and down the country who are all expressing their feelings about living at home during a global pandemic through using various creative techniques.

Speaking about today’s launch of ‘At home’, Gillian Keegan, Apprenticeships and Skills Minister, said: “This has been a difficult time for the entire country but this exhibition is a wonderful example of how creativity can flourish in the face of adversity. It’s great to see how these sixth form students have captured the experiences of lockdown from a young person’s perspective. A huge congratulations to all exhibitors and I wish them every success for the future”.

Over 140 students from 46 colleges across the UK submitted their artwork for the exhibition that runs until Friday 19 June, and the following three students from NSCG are featured within ‘At home’…

'Family Portrait' by Charlotte Davis – studies A Levels in Photography, Psychology and Sociology at Stafford College

'Empty' by Halle Hogan - studies A Levels in Art & Design, Film Studies and Graphic Design at Newcastle College

'Stay at Home' by Megan Crowther - studies Art & Design, Graphic Design and Photography at Newcastle College

Mike Kelly, Head of Creative Arts and Media at NSCG, said: “At a time when they should have been finalising work for projects to represent the best of their creative endeavours in year one or year two of their studies, our students found themselves coping with the limitations and stresses of life in a pandemic. I'm sure that all of them have struggled with the loss of contact with loved ones and friends, but it has been an inspiration to see how they have continued to develop as creative practitioners. The 'At Home' online exhibition showcases the rich variety of work students across the country have produced during this pandemic to date; responding to changes in personal circumstance, isolation, panic buying, hopes and aspirations for the future. Our brilliant creative staff at the Newcastle and Stafford sites have adapted to online teaching and continued to give our students the support and guidance they have needed to maintain a degree of normality and routine. The three students, Charlotte, Halle and Megan selected to represent NSCG in this exhibition have responded in creative, personal and sometimes very moving ways to this unique and unsettling period. They are an inspiration.”

Commenting on exhibiting her work, Stafford College student, Charlotte Davis, said: “I’m really quite proud of myself. To be exhibiting my work on a national scale is a big personal achievement of mine as I have a real passion for Photography. The main inspiration for the piece of work that I submitted was quite personal, as it is a photograph of myself with my grandparents who I am really missing, as I haven’t seen them since lockdown.”