MORE than 600 guests packed into Wiltshire College & University Centre’s Chippenham and Salisbury campuses to see two years’ worth of creative effort from students on display.
Families, friends and invited guests were able to experience art, photography, music, fashion, film, digital, and games scattered across both campuses.
At Chippenham more than 200 guests were greeted with performances by music students before wandering through the campus to browse art, photography and fashion exhibitions, as well as watching digital and gaming displays.
The end of term show also played host to the Kandu Film Festival, organised in association with Chippenham arts charity Kandu Arts.
The festival showcased film and digital media students’ efforts and among the audience was a distinguished panel of judges, led by Andy Brereton, Senior Commissioning Editor of Comedy at Channel 4, James Godman of the Frome International Climate Film Festival, BAFTA-nominated director Conor Deedigan, filmmaker James Sykes and lecturer and former BBC journalist and Wiltshire Times chief reporter Nicola Dew.
In Salisbury, more than 450 visitors had a similar experience when they found music students playing on their arrival to see the art, fashion and photography on display. This year the college’s talent had an even wider audience, thanks to an exhibition of students’ work at the Young Gallery above the library in the city centre.
Head of Creative Arts, Media and Performance Owain Milford said it was a boost for the college. “It’s a great opportunity for us to promote the creative talent we have here and it has been very successful,” he said. “It’s the first time we’ve had an exhibition there and I’m hoping that we’ll be back every year from now on.”
He said all of the exhibitions have been a chance for students to show how they have developed over their course and to set a final seal on their time at college before they take the next steps in their career.
At Chippenham Level 3 Music and production students Grace Leatherbarrow-Thrumble and Jay O’Gara were relishing the chance to perform music they’ve been working on. “I do gigs all the time so having original music being displayed is something that’s not new to me, but it’s nice it is being displayed somewhere where I’ve learnt more skills to show how far my music’s developed since I joined the college,” Jay said.
Grace added: “The EP being played has never been heard by anyone other than me and my lecturer, so no pressure.
“I haven’t even listened to it back after it’s been finished because I’m too scared to. It’s a little bit nerve-wracking but I’m glad that it’s being played here, because if not, then it’s in my bedroom and I wouldn’t do anything about it.”
Level 2 Creative Media student Lucas Weston was exhibiting his photography project, which examines connectivity among young people. He said he was inspired by the fact his peers struggle to connect with one another in person.
“It’s a bit nerve-wracking and exhilarating displaying it,” he said. “I found doing the project simple but challenging. My lead lecturer has been very supportive, he has assisted me throughout.”
Owain said the shows were, as usual, well received. “We had really good turnouts at both and there was a really nice, positive vibe with the music playing and so many people enjoying seeing what was on display.
“All of the staff work really hard to get these shows on but getting the great feedback we have had, and seeing the students being so proud of what they have achieved, makes it all worthwhile.”
The exhibitions followed the end of term show at Trowbridge on the 11 June which saw more than 900 people attending. The event held a special significance because it marked the 50th anniversary of its Foundation Art and Design course.
Find out more about the Trowbridge end of year show.
Chippenham art exhibition
Salisbury art exhibition
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