A visual feast of fine art, textiles, graphics and photography has gone on display at a Bolton shopping centre to showcase the talents of local teenagers.
Masterpieces created by students studying Art and Design at Bolton Sixth Form College are now on show at Crompton Place so shoppers can admire their striking work and learn more about the ground-breaking facilities on offer at the town centre campus.
Students currently aiming towards a BTEC Level 3 extended diploma in Art and Design and A level Photography, Textile and Graphic Design and Fine Art have this week become the first to see their wares grace the windows.
Course tutor, Gillian Vipond, said: “The whole idea came about when we were thinking of different ways to try and promote ourselves as an art and design department, and let people know of all the new facilities we now offer at our town centre campus.
“After contacting Crompton Place, we were offered some free window space at the shopping centre and thought it would be a great place to display the really good work our students do to showcase the many courses we offer in the department.
“For example, we now have dark and wet room facilities for budding photographers, as well as teaching digital techniques, which sets us apart from the rest.
“Students can also create work in 3D and get involved in more vocational work, live briefs and trips abroad, which helps give them a deeper insight and more confidence in their projects.”
Gillian, who teaches A Level Textile Design, Fine Art on the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design added: “The opportunity to display their work in their local shopping centre gives the students a target to work towards and helps get their pieces out in the real world.”
The work currently on display will be there until November 1 and then after the festive period, more artwork will find a home at Crompton Place in a bid to present more work from fine art, textiles, graphics and photography.
Crompton Place Manager, Malcolm Angus, said: “We are really happy to be supporting young people in Bolton to showcase their hard work and talent.
“It works for the shopping centre too because it adds to the reasons for people to visit us and I know shoppers will enjoy admiring the artwork.
Among the work on display at the moment are pieces by second year BTEC students, Amy James, 17, and 18-year-old Noor-Ul-Ann Ahmed.
Amy said: “I created a piece which was focused on the urban environment and used illustrations and photographs to represent life in Manchester and London.
“It took me around three weeks to complete so I’m pleased it’s going on display in the town centre.”
Noor-Ul-Ann added: “Mine was a mixed media piece based on a shop in the Northern Quarter of Manchester. The brief was to design a piece that could be on display in a shop so I used graphic design techniques, sewing, staples, glue and masking tape across a series of canvasses depicting what represents Manchester.
“I earned a distinction so I’m really excited that all my friends and family will see my work at the shopping centre.”
For more information about the college, visit www.bolton-sfc.ac.uk and for more information about Crompton Place, go to www.crompton-place.co.uk
