Our Access to HE Art & Design students took centre stage last Friday evening as they proudly launched their Press to Impress exhibition at Monocle, celebrating months of creativity, dedication, and artistic development.
The exhibition showcases a rich and varied collection of individually hand-crafted work, highlighting the talent, technical skill, and unique creative voices of our students. For many, the event marked an important milestone – providing the opportunity to present their work in a professional setting and take their first steps into the creative industry.
Niamh Sinclair, 28, shared her experience of exhibiting her work: “Having the opportunity to exhibit our work in a professional setting was fantastic. It pushes you into thinking like a professional artist. Your work isn’t hidden away in a sketchbook anymore – it’s out in the world where anyone can see it. Knowing that people from the creative industry might view your work makes you take it more seriously and challenge yourself.”
The launch evening also celebrated a number of outstanding student achievements. Ashley Manns-Agar received a Highly Commended award in Graphic Design for his confident response to a demanding live brief, producing a cohesive suite of professional promotional materials. Ashley was also awarded The Monocle Prize, with his ceramic piece selected for the venue’s permanent collection.
Najwa Hasan was awarded Highly Commended in Printmaking for her technically accomplished and deeply personal reduction linocut, depicting her family’s olive grove in Syria. Her work used the irreversible nature of the process as a powerful metaphor for memory.
D Clark received a Highly Commended award in Drawing for a contemplative mixed media series exploring the quiet ritual of a morning routine, demonstrating strong observational skill alongside a thoughtful use of texture and tone.
The exhibition stands as a testament to the creativity, ambition, and hard work of our students, and we are incredibly proud of everyone who contributed to such an inspiring showcase.
Press to Impress remains open to the public at Monocle until Monday 1st June, giving visitors plenty of opportunity to experience the exhibition. It is open seven days a week, from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and 10am to 5pm on weekends.
We encourage everyone to visit, explore the work, and support our students as they take their next steps into the creative world.
