Creative student opens 'pop up shop'

NULC student Amy Ostrouchow is setting up a pop up shop, where she will sell a range of handmade items.

Amy will be selling her lovely range of jewellery and other gifts at The Victoria Mill in Congleton.  The shop will be open to the public from Saturday 31 March for 2 weeks.

Amy, aged 22 from Longton is in her second year studying the Foundation degree in Contemporary Art Practice at NULC’s dedicated University Centre.

To find out more about the range of creative Higher Education courses offered by NULC in partnership with Staffordshire University click here.

HRH the Duke of York meets creative students at NULC

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) was delighted to welcome His Royal Highness The Duke of York to its campus.

The Duke of York visited NULC to help promote the work of colleges in providing high quality apprenticeships, work-based learning and business skills development.

After meeting local dignitaries in the College reception area, His Royal Highness was given a tour of the College by NULC Principal and Chief Executive Karen Dobson, accompanied by the Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Sir James Hawley.

The visit formed part of The Duke of York's work to encourage and inspire young people to develop the right skills, and to recognise and support the many apprenticeship schemes that are developing as a part of the Government's Skills and Innovation agenda.

He told students he hoped the College could help inspire them to "be more than you think you can be". The Duke of York added: "I can assure all of you young people that you have a great deal more potential than you probably realise or understand. Over the last 10 years I've been doing a huge amount for British business and I will continue to do so, because I believe in it, and I also believe you young people are the future of it."

The tour saw His Royal Highness visit the College's bespoke University Centre, where he met Foundation degree course leader Richard Hunter and viewed 'live' work produced for local businesses by students from the College's graphics and digital media production courses.

Lewis Booth, aged 18 from Norton, is studying the Foundation degree in Graphics and Digital Design.  Lewis said: "I won a competition to design a logo for Grindeys Solicitors so the Duke was asking me a lots of questions about that."

Principal Karen Dobson said: "I am very proud of the staff that helped pulled everything together and of course all the students who have done themselves real credit."

Find out more about the wide range of courses available for students of all ages, interests and skill levels at NULC at www.nulc.ac.uk, email info@nulc.ac.uk or call 01782 254254.

Students join forces to stage charity fashion show

Creative students from Newcastle-under-Lyme College have joined forces to organise a charity fashion show.

Lights, Camera, Action will take place in the College's Auditorium on Tuesday 6 March, 7pm – 9pm.  Tickets cost £2.50 each with money raised going to the Uganda Humanist Schools Trust.

The event is a collaborative project between first year students studying the Level 3 Extended Diplomas in Art and Design, Graphics and Interactive Media, Music Technology and Photography. 

The students have worked together on a number of different aspects of putting together a Fashion Event. Art and Design students have designed and made the outfits for the catwalk show, Graphics and Interactive Media students designed the promotional material including posters and tickets.  Photography students have documented the process to make a slideshow of the ‘making of the show’ and Music Technology students have created music for a documentary video of the whole project. Additionally some of the garments produced for the Catwalk Show were made by students studying the Foundation Degree in Contemporary Art Practice.

On the evening students will be raising funds through a number of activities including a 'pop-cake' raffle, where you buy a cake on a numbered stick, having eaten the cake your number is in then entered in to the raffle.  There are a range of raffle prizes including vouchers for the Transform Spa, floristry vouchers, 6 months Gym membership at the Gordon Banks Sports Centre and workshop vouchers for the Peanut Gallery at Congleton Mill.

To find out more about the Ugandan Humanist School Trust click here.

Tickets are available from the Cash Office on the ground floor of the College.  Alternatively contact Jay Allen for more information jay.allen@nulc.ac.uk.

Charity Fashion Catwalk at NULC

NULC student recognised for graphic design talent

NULC student Samantha Dale has been recognised for her graphic design talent in a national competition.

Samantha, aged 22 was a runner up in the National Student Survey (NSS) competition.  The NSS competition organised by NUS was open to university students across the country.  They were looking for a slogan and poster design which would inspire students to get involved and participate in the NSS. Over 250,000 students complete the survey every year and the results have helped to change the experiences of millions of students.

Richard Hunter, Curriculum Leader for Graphics and Digital Design urged his students to enter the competition as part of their class work as he thought it would be a good learning curve and help students to manage their workload by working on live briefs.

Samantha from Brown Edge is her first year studying the Foundation degree in Graphics and Digital Design at NULC’s dedicated University Centre.  The range of University-level courses taught at NULC are offered in partnership with Staffordshire University.

Samantha said: “My lecturer has been a massive help, he’s a fantastic designer and very inspiring. He’s always on hand to show us how we can improve and become the best designers.”

She continues: “We were given the brief as a group so when we had finished our designs, the class got together and we had a group critic which made me make changes to my work before I sent it off. I was very please with my final design.”

Speaking of her aspirations for the future Samantha said: “My biggest wildest dream which I would love is to work for a fashion magazine.  Being recognised in national competitions like this will look really good in portfolio when I come to applying for jobs, so I am really pleased to be placed as runner-up.”

To find out more about studying the Foundation degree in Graphics and Digital Design click here or contact the Information Point on info@nulc.ac.uk or 01782 254254.

Creative students design for the catwalk

Creative students from Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) will be taking part in the Vodafone employees charity fashion show.

Students studying the Foundation degree in Contempoary Art Practice at NULC showcased their fashion designs at the event last year and the organisers were so impressed by their work, that the students have been invited to design garments for the entire show at this years event.

This year the Foundation degree students have teamed up with Level 3 creative students who are taking part in the Extended Project.  The Level 3 students are creating pieces for two of the ten sections of the show. A selection of the Level 3 students have also worked with lecturer Dan Pellowe on the design of the promotional material for the event.

Students Lauren Spragg, Amy Hill, Sian Mellor, Laura Cunningham, Helen Clark, Jessica Lawson, Katy Boden and Louise Fraser who study the Foundation degree in Contemporary Art Practice are currently working hard to produce the garments in time for the show on Friday 16 December.

The fashion show is themed around 'Hollywood nights' and celebrates music from the movies including Dirty Dancing, Footloose and Moulin Rouge.  The event takes place at the Kings Hall in toke on Friday 16 December from 6.00pm. 

Tickets are available from the Transform Salon reception, priced at £6.50 each with NULC students getting the special offer of buy one ticket, get one free.  All money raised going to local charity Arch.

Creative students raise £1000 for charity

Art and Creative Studies students from Newcastle-under-Lyme College have raised an amazing £1000 for charity. 

Students hosted an evening of entertainment including a fashion show, dance performances and live music in aid of the Uganda Humanist Schools Trust and to raise awareness for Black History Month.

Well done to everyone who took part in the event! A brilliant evening had by all and a fantastic amount of money raised.

To view more images from the night visit our Facebook page by clicking here.

Student invited to showcase work for prestigious charity

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) student Lauren Spragg has been invited to showcase her latest fashion designs at the Variety in Fashion Show at the Trentham Estate on Tuesday 18 October.

Lauren, aged 22 from Beech near Swynnerton first exhibited her work alongside other NULC students at the Variety in Fashion show at the De Vere Wychwood Park Hotel in April.

Designer labels including Paul Smith, Hugo Boss and Armani Jeans as well as designs from local boutiques were also showcased on the night. Organisers were so impressed with Laurens designs that she has been asked to showcase her latest collection at the Variety in Fashion Show at the Trentham Estate.

Lauren said: “I’m thrilled to have been invited to showcase my work at this prestigious event. It’s a great opportunity to get experience in the fashion world. After my studies I would like to progress in to a career in fashion and this event will look great in my portfolio.”

Lauren is studying the Foundation degree (Fd) in Contemporary Art Practice at NULC, which is a University-level course offered in partnership with Staffordshire University. The course offers the opportunity to explore areas such as Fine Art, Photography, Contemporary Crafts, Fashion, Textiles and Illustration.

The Variety in Fashion Show is organised by the Variety Club, a charity which raises money to improve the lives of children and young people in need of help. BBC Radio Stoke presenter Paula White will be hosting the event on Tuesday 18 October at 6.30pm. Tickets are priced at £15 each including a drinks reception and buffet and tickets are available from Trentham Garden Centre.

To find out more about the range of University-level courses at NULC visit www.nulc.ac.uk/he or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or info@nulc.ac.uk.

Students showcase talents at exhibition

Art students from Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) exhibited their work at a local art gallery.

Lisa Mynett aged 33 from Blurton and Shelley Gregory aged 43 from Audley exhibited work at the Victoria Mill in Congleton as part of the Freedom Contemporary Art Exhibition.  The exhibition featured work including sculptures, prints and furniture.

The talented duo, are mature students who study the Foundation degree (Fd) in Contemporary Art Practice which is a Higher Education course offered in partnership with Staffordshire University.  The course offers the opportunity to explore areas such as Fine Art, Photography, Contemporary Crafts, Fashion, Textiles and Illustration all within the dedicated HE Centre at NULC's new Knutton Lane Campus.

Creative students shine in A Level success

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) is celebrating exceptional success in its A Level results for creative subjects.

Art and Design, Art Textiles, Film Studies, Graphic Design and Photography all achieved 100% pass rate.

Pictured: Gemma Hawkins A* in Graphic Design

Creative subjects achieving exceptional success include Film Studies where 70% of students achieved grades A* - B.  In Graphic Design 78% of students achieved A*- B grades and Media Studies where 71% of students achieved grades A* - B.

The A Level success was also mirrored in the AS Level results where Film Studies received the most A – B grades across all Sixth Form subjects.  A total of 70% of students studying Film Studies achieved grades A - B.

Student Elizabeth Nemeth achieved 2 A* and 2 A grades, with A* in Film Studies and A in Media Studies.  Elizabeth who is going on to study Film at Warwick University said “The College staff are brilliant and have always been available when you need them.  I would thoroughly recommend NULC, the courses here are brilliant and the staff are so generous and supportive.”

Pictured: Elizabeth Nemeth A*A*AA

To find out more about the A Level success at NULC visit www.nulc.ac.uk/results.