Art students from Havant & South Downs College have spoken of their delight of exhibiting their work in public for the first time as part of a project celebrating the next generation of painters and textile designers.
The Future Artists initiative, led by the University of Chichester, opened for pupils from 11 West Sussex and Hampshire schools and colleges. It aims to give the students, studying art or textiles at GCSE and A Level or BTEC, a platform to illustrate their talents in their first public gallery.
Tim Sandys-Renton, a senior lecturer from the University’s department of Fine Art, said he organised the initiative to inspire a new generation of artists and help them to think about studying the subject at an advanced level.
He added: “The creative subjects have been challenged and we want this exhibition to present art and textiles as positive choices for A Levels and onwards. We are building great relationships with our nearby schools and colleges so we will be repeating this next year but with more opportunities for the students.”
Art teacher Mark Kellet, from Havant & South Downs College, helped 17 of his students develop artwork for the project. He said: “My students have worked really hard all year – they never get the chance to show off their work at a public exhibition so this is a unique opportunity for them to get some recognition of their talents.”
Schools involved in the Future Artists project included Chichester’s High School, Bishop Luffa, and College, alongside St Philip Howard in Barnham and Littlehampton Academy. It also included students from the Havant & South Downs College, Felpham Community, and Worthing colleges, as well as St Vincent’s in Gosport alongside Petersfield school and Bohunt sixth form.
For more information on Art courses at HSDC, click here.
