Oaklands College students shine at Cathedral Art Exhibition

Parents of current Art, Fashion and Design students at Oaklands College, along with local artists were invited to a private viewing this week, showcasing their incredible and inspiring work in an exhibition open to the public until Sunday 7^th April.

The students were commissioned by the college to create pieces in line with this year’s theme of ‘Revolution’, encouraging them to express their opinions on worldwide events, political, geographic and economic standings and much more.

All artwork was judge by a panel of experts, with the first prize going to Esther Harbord for her breath-taking interpretative painting of the Syrian Refugee Crisis, depicting a mother carrying her young child through times of crisis and despair and titled ‘Refugees Welcome’.

Second place went to Helen Borlase for her ‘Homeless’ sculpting ceramics, depicting two empty shells which highlighted the emptiness and struggle for homeless people.

Finally, the inventiveness of Georgia Tominey-Smith’s ‘Help Me’ piece, illustrating a tortoise’s struggle in an ocean full of plastic and non-biodegradable waste. Georgia’s emotional piece touched many of the guests and all pieces highlighted modern issues in an ever-changing ‘Revolutionary’ society.

Victoria Caulton said: “Reflecting upon events such as the humanitarian crisis in Syria, the rollercoaster ride of Brexit or a vision for a better future, the artists drew upon their abilities and used their specialisms as a platform to convey their views on a modern and ever changing World”.

Mayor Rosemary Farmer said: “I was delighted to be invited by the College to see the fabulous work of Oaklands students in the grand setting of the Cathedral.  I was impressed by the creativity of the students and the ingenious and varied ways their work, in so many different mediums, interpreted the theme of Revolution.  The evening was in aid of the Willows Foundation and I was very pleased to be able to support the fundraising of such a great charity.”

Oaklands College would like to thank the St Albans Cathedral for providing us a breath-taking location to host the exhibition, which has become an annual feature of their event programme.

Additionally, Oaklands College Art students have also been contributing their shirt designs to local menswear and bridal boutique store ‘Cerimonia’, keep an eye out in their shop windows for this display.