Creativity takes centre stage at end-of-year showcase

Creative students at Telford College have showcased their work at an end-of-year event to celebrate another year of imagination and innovation.

The Wellington campus hosted a gallery of students' work from the current academic year, featuring more than 250 pieces including portraits, posters, ceramics and fashions.

Many of the showcased pieces were developed through real-world briefs and industry-linked projects, including collaborations with Weston Park near Shifnal and National Trust properties Attingham Park in Shrewsbury and Sunnycroft in Wellington.

Separately, more than 50 short films have been created by students over the course of this academic year and a mini-cinema was created to showcase many of them.

They are all being shown on the big screen at a Telford College film festival at Wellington Orbit on June 17 and 18.

"The standard of work this year has been exceptional," said Jonathan Abbott, learner manager for creative and music. Seeing our students confidently present their ideas and talk about their creative journeys with the guests was a real highlight.

"They've pushed themselves, taken risks and produced work that genuinely impressed our visitors."

The Arts Society Wrekin sponsored a competition for the best pieces inspired by the project at Sunnycroft and awarded the £75 first prize to Milo Pryce from Newport, a first-year level two art and design student who said she was "humbled and amazed" by her success.

Tim Roberts, a member of the society's committee, added: "We've been very impressed with the standard this year. In fact, everyone has been at least highly commended because the quality of work and their effort is so good."

Chey Smith is one of the students whose portraits of volunteers at Attingham Park formed part of an exhibition at the estate.

The former Telford Priory School student, who now has a place at Birmingham City University in September, said: "I've really come out of my shell coming to Telford College. I'm so glad I made the decision to come here.

"Being in a community of people here at college who have the same interests and enjoy art as much as I do, has been so great.

"Having my work displayed at Attingham Park was so nerve-wracking but the volunteer I painted has actually now bought the portrait which means he must think I've done a good job."