Creative students exhibit work at Newcastle Museum & Art Gallery

Creative students from Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) will be displaying their work at the Newcastle Museum & Art Gallery.

Talented duo, James Blair and Cassie Bedson submitted their work to the Newcastle Museum & Art Gallery and have been selected to have their work exhibited as part of the Museum’s Open Art and Craft Exhibition.

Former Co-operative Academy of Brownhills pupil, Cassie, aged 21 from Tunstall, is exhibiting work entitled 'Secret Garden'.  The piece is made from finely cut paper and featuring animals, the intricate work cut entirely by hand highlights the delicacy of the material used.

Cassie previously studied A Levels in Art and Design, Photography and Textiles at NULC before progressing to the Colleges University Centre to study the Foundation degree in Contemporary Art Practice in 2011. 

Now in her second year on the university-level course Cassie said: “I’m delighted to be exhibiting my work at a local gallery, the piece I produced was very intricate and time consuming, so I was delighted to be recognised for the hard work I put in.  The college has been great, encouraging us to apply for opportunities to  promote work  as part of the course, which has enabled us to build a fantastic portfolio and contacts that will come in useful once in the world of work.”

James, aged 23, from Newcastle, previously studied the National Diploma in Art and Design before returning to NULC in 2011 to complete a Foundation degree in Contemporary Art Practice.

James' work entitled 'The Spode Roaches' and 'It’s Not All About Great Butter' was created with a range of materials and reflects some of the work he did during a placement at the former Spode factory in Stoke-on-Trent earlier in the year.  James’ work features old ceramic transfers printed on to a refrigerator and recycled wood painted with the Union Jack.

The exhibition is open to the public and will run until Sunday 4 November at the Brampton Park Gallery.

Amy Davies, Curriculum Leader for Contemporary Art Practice, said: “Here at NULC we strive to provide our students with the best opportunities possible.  Students work on live briefs for a range of businesses and charities across the county, which prepares them with experience and a business acumen that compliments their creative flair.”

NULC offers a range of university-level courses in partnership with Staffordshire University at the college’s bespoke University Centre.

To find out more about studying a Foundation degree in Contemporary Art Practice at NULC click here or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or info@nulc.ac.uk.