[T]alented students showcased artwork that has earned them university places on sought-after degree courses ranging from fine art to architecture at an exhibition.
The foundation art and design students at Barrow Sixth Form held an exhibition of their work as the announcement was made that the campus will have a Centre of Excellence for Art and Design from September.
Final projects ranged from campaigns about animals facing extinction to a luxury conceptual house in the heart of the Lake District, band promotion to game design and a powerful anti-abuse campaign.
Student Ellen-Mary Bromley dedicated her final project of animal paintings on driftwood, which was awarded a distinction, to her grandad.
“My grandad taught me to draw and he died when I was doing my A levels,” she said. “He inspired me and I want to dedicate this to him.”
Her artwork has already been snapped up by buyers with further commissions in the pipeline and she will study a degree in fine art at Lancaster University from September.
Nineteen-year-old Georgia Trelore gained the highest mark after designing her own ideal house in the heart of the Lake District under her own high-end architecture company. She will go to the University of Liverpool to do a degree in conceptual architecture.
“The foundation course has helped me to decide what I want to go into. Originally I was thinking about fine art but the workshops we have done in graphics and digital design have inspired me.”
Saffron Ashworth’s project used the textures of nature to capture the beauty of the older generation in portraits. She used bark and hair to create textured canvases and included their own thoughts about their life experiences.
“I’m really pleased. I’ve been able to make massive progress from A level with Nikki showing me how to improve my work, to loosen up and to be a bit more free and I’m really proud of the results,” she said.
Ellie Kendall, 19, of Barrow, will now continue her A levels with the aim of studying palaeontology at university next September. Her campaign about endangered animals included her own artwork transformed into campaign posters, merchandise including bags, T-shirts and badges and even hand-carved candles in the shape of the animals. “I’m really happy with a distinction,” she said
The BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art and Design is a one-year post A level course to prepare students for entry to degree-level art and design programmes. It is a fast-paced curriculum designed to develop conceptual and practical skills so students can make the most of a university course.
Head of Art and Design Nikki Conigliaro said all 12 students passed with five gaining distinctions.
“Every student has progressed brilliantly and each has found their own niche as the course has gone on,” she said. “This course gives them the skills to think outside the box and they’ve been very dedicated to their projects – with great results.
“It’s an exciting time as we move to expand our courses here to include those at Channelside with the new staff bringing a fresh approach and the chance for students to see work to HND level.”
A level students, including several progressing to the foundation course, will hold a public display of their work on Thursday June 8th from 4pm to 6pm. All welcome.
