Creative students showcased their work at Stockton Riverside College’s summer exhibition.

The event featured work from level 1, 2 and 3 art and design students, level 4 performance creative makeup learners and, by special request, one of our level 2 games and animation students.

“Our summer exhibition is really a celebration of all their hard work,” said art and design course leader, Liz Dixon.

“It includes the work of all our learners, and for many it will be the first time they have seen their artwork on show to the public.”

The result was a mixed media exhibition featuring everything from fine art to models, illustration to wallpaper and textiles; there were even some interactive exhibits.

Proud to see his work included was first year games design and animation student, Salomon. He put in the extra hours to create something specifically for the exhibition.

“I was too shocked to speak when they first asked me,” he said.

On seeing visitors to the college viewing his work, he said: “It was very surreal and a little bit nerve-wracking.”

Performance creative makeup students also demonstrated their skills with live models made up on the day. 

And, unique to this year’s event, the exhibition incorporated a commemorative quilt, a community project created as part of the celebrations for the bicentenary of Stockton and Darlington Railway.

Organised by Stockton Central Library as part of the S&DR200 Fringe Festival, the quilt is made up of 56 individual textile panels.

Led by local artist, Harriet Mee, and supported by Stockton Riverside College students, with funding from Libraries Connected and Arts Council England, workshops were held where members of the public created textile squares, each representing their own fond memories and associations of the railway.

With her own square included in the quilt art and design student Emma said: “It was great to be a part of this project and see people working together. The bicentenary is an important event in the history of the railway and to have something I have made displayed in this way feels quite good.”

Visitors to the Stockton Riverside College exhibition included the Mayor of Stockton on Tees, Councillor Stephen Richardson, and the Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, Councillor Ian Hart.