Annual Degree Show exhibition opens to the public once again
The University of Central Lancashire’s final year undergraduate Degree Show exhibition has opened to the public for the first time in three years.
The annual exhibition showcases final year undergraduate work produced by students of many creative disciplines, including architecture, art, design, fashion and media. Due to Covid, the event has been held virtually for the last two years but will return to an in-person show this week with a wide range of exhibitions spread across three buildings.
Visitors can expect to see large architectural models, traditional and experimental media, including painting, sculpture, print, drawing, performance and installations, short-animated films, handmade textile designs, design-focussed portfolios, and crafted and laser cut models, plus much more.
"Being given an opportunity to work with industry experts and learn from fellow creatives will be fantastic."
— UCLan fine art student Maariyah Patel on winning an industry sponsored award
Highlights of the 2022 show include fashion collections fresh from the catwalk and graphic design projects nominated for prestigious industry D&AD (Design & Art Direction) Pencil awards.
In addition, six industry-sponsored awards were handed to students considered to be the very best in their fields.
Awards for Society and Sustainability, Craft, Insight, Enterprise and Technology Innovation sponsored by The Super Slow Way, Frontier IP Group PLC, Preen, Creative Lancashire and Skiddle respectively, were presented at the launch of the exhibition. All winners were rewarded with an exciting placement, mentoring or support opportunity from their sponsor.
Fine art student Maariyah Patel won The Super Slow Way Award for Society and Sustainability will receive mentoring from the cultural development programme, which is based in Blackburn.
"As usual, the quality of work is exceptional and I’d encourage anyone to come along and see this quality for themselves."
— Jane Anthony, UCLan’s Executive Dean of the Faculty of Culture and the Creative Industries.
She said: “I am so excited and feel like all my efforts have been recognised. Being given an opportunity to work with industry experts and learn from fellow creatives will be fantastic.”
Animation student Erin Rose Wilson was handed the Frontier IP Group PLC Award for Craft and has been offered a paid opportunity to create a short animation for the company's linked portfolio companies.
They said: “I'm overjoyed and honoured to have received this opportunity to work in the industry doing something I love. My tutors and family have been amazing inspiration and I wouldn't have been able to do this without them."
Another award winner, Emily Peet who won the Creative Lancashire Award for Enterprise, said: “I was honoured to have been nominated. It was a surprise, as there were so many amazing projects, but I am delighted to have won the Enterprise Award. I am looking forward to working with Creative Lancashire and taking the opportunity to join their Creative Step Programme.”
Jane Anthony, UCLan’s Executive Dean of the Faculty of Culture and the Creative Industries, said: “The whole Faculty is absolutely delighted to be able to show off the Degree Show in-person once again. The students work incredibly hard during their studies and this exhibition provides a platform for them to share their talents with the public and industry.
“As usual, the quality of work is exceptional and I’d encourage anyone to come along and see this quality for themselves.”
The free exhibition runs from 17 - 24 June and is open weekdays 10.00am – 5.00pm across three buildings; EIC, Hanover and Victoria. For more information, contact 01772 894443, email MTexon@uclan.ac.uk or visit the UCLan website.
