Astound 2014
Now in its fifth year at the prestigious Nicholson Gallery the Leek School of Art (Buxton & Leek College) exhibits its end of year degree show - 'Astound' - running from May 24th - June 14th.
Right in the centre of Leek, this exciting exhibition was led by a collective of entrepreneurial artists currently studying on a Foundation Degree at Leek School of Art part of Buxton and Leek College.
Curated by final year students the exhibition and showcased all the work by the talented and creative individuals participating on the programme. The diverse range of contemporary art and design on display shows the high level of professionalism, originality and imagination of the students across a broad range of disciplines including painting, ceramics, surface pattern, textiles, fine art and photography.
Right in the centre of Leek, this exciting exhibition was led by a collective of entrepreneurial artists currently studying on a Foundation Degree at Leek School of Art part of Buxton and Leek College.
Curated by final year students the exhibition and showcased all the work by the talented and creative individuals participating on the programme. The diverse range of contemporary art and design on display shows the high level of professionalism, originality and imagination of the students across a broad range of disciplines including painting, ceramics, surface pattern, textiles, fine art and photography.
The set up:
The Private View: 22nd May 2014
The Principal opens the show
Peter & Gwen & Mr Thompson looking rather dapper in his velveteen jacket
Anne-Lise Fraser & Chris Thompson & Jon Braley & Rob Barks 'chewing the fat'!!
Jennie & Sally
Tash Davenport
Celia & Bev
Jo, Kirsten & Susan
Linda & Jane
Jane Brocklehurst, Linda Rolland & Suzanne Mellor
Gwen - not all her empties!!
5 of the talented bunch of the Foundation Degree 'Class of 2014': Hayley Grocott-Smith, Linda Rolland, Jane Brocklehurst, Faye Salt, Rosie Lovenbury
Article below taken from the Sentinel:
SOME of North Staffordshire's most iconic images have been transformed into works of art by up-and-coming designers and artists.
The famous Winking Man stone at Ramshaw Rocks, near Leek, Hanley's Bethesda Chapel and potbanks in the Potteries are among the backdrops used for the pieces.
Now they form part of an exhibition produced by foundation degree students at Buxton and Leek College's school of art.
The show, called Astound 2014, features the work of 16 talented artists, who hope to use it
as a springboard to launch creative careers.
as a springboard to launch creative careers.
Fiona Jane Brocklehurst, from Biddulph, has just completed the contemporary art practice course at the Leek campus.
The 46-year-old has produced striking glass pieces which illustrate key buildings in Leek and Buxton.
They include the Nicholson Museum and Art Gallery where the Astound show is being staged.
Fiona said: "I took photographs of the buildings and then put them on to vinyl to transfer them on to the glass.
"Until I came to college, I'd never done anything like this before."
She fitted the foundation degree around her work helping adults who have learning difficulties.
The art and design exhibition has proved to be a show within a show for student Hayley Grocott-Smith.
She has created a series of silk paintings based on the six towns of Stoke-on-Trent.
One of her pieces, which depicts Tunstall's clock tower, has also inspired a children's art competition.
Pupils from Leek's Woodcroft First School, St Mary's Catholic Academy and All Saints First School were each given a square of her design to recreate.
She said: "My mum comes from Hanley and my nan used to be a Sunday school teacher at Bethesda Chapel. They've inspired the work."
Hayley, who used to work for Moorcroft Pottery and is now a teaching assistant, plans to go on to Staffordshire University next year to 'top up' her qualification to an honours degree.
Fellow student Fay Salt also comes from a pottery background as she works as a junior designer at Wedgwood. The company paid for her to do the course on a day release basis.
The 24-year-old, from Leek, pictured below, is exhibiting some of her unique wallpaper at the Astound show.
She said: "In a design studio, you have a rigid brief. But on this course, I've been able to do whatever I want. I've shown the design process from start to finish."
Painter Linda Rolland has produced rugged pictures of Peak District scenes for her exhibits.
She has also created her first ever sculpture after being inspired by the Winking Man.
The 62-year-old, from Buxton, said: "The Winking Man is such a fantastic image that it should be a national treasure.
"I went there to see it eight times to look at it from different angles. I've cast my sculpture of it in aluminium."
College principal Len Tildsley has been impressed sheer variety of students' work.
He said: "This course is the pinnacle of everything we represent as a modern school of art. It brings together high-level skills and techniques with the business and entrepreneurial skills of the practising artists.
and entrepreneurial skills of the practising artists.
The exhibition has been entirely organised by the students.
