Crafty and creative individuals from a Tees Valley college have been painting the town red by showing off their work to family and friends.

The talented students from Redcar & Cleveland College’s BTEC National Diploma Art & Design course showcased their work at a special exhibition for parents, staff and local people held at the college last week. 

The first and second year students exhibited digital work, drawings, painting, ceramics and textiles that they have produced over the course of the last year. Having attained excellent results, many of them are now going on to further study within the field at higher and university levels.

Rachel Holmes, 17 from Eston is planning to go on and study graphic design at the University of Teesside. She said:

“The art and design course here at the college has been excellent. There is a really good mix of students and the tutors are very easy to get on with and talk to. I would really recommend the college and the course to anyone who is looking to study art and design.

“My personal favourite pieces from show are the picture of Golden Gate Bridge made from glue and water and the dress I designed, which was inspired by the 80s mixed with the elegance of salsa – I wanted it to swish!”

18-year old Rebecca Dickinson, from Grangetown, is hoping to become a costume designer after securing a place on a costume-making course following completion of the course at Redcar. She said:

“I have really enjoyed studying at Redcar & Cleveland College and I have even been to visit schools in the area to talk about the course and the great facilities that the college has to offer.

“I think my best pieces of work are a dress that I created, which was inspired by the classic tragedy Romeo and Juliet – with a 60s twist!”

Students from the course go on to work in a wide range of careers, and not all of them would be what you might expect from an art and design qualification.

Declan Hill, 18 from Skelton, is very much looking forward to studying to become an architect, after applying to universities in Sheffield and Newcastle. He says:

“I would happily recommend the course and the college to any students. The quality of the course and the support of the tutors will help me to achieve a career in architecture.”

Colin Cook, BTEC National Diploma Art & Design course leader at the college said:

“Since we move into the college’s new purpose-built building last September the Art & Design courses have gone from strength to strength. The new facilities are allowing us to fulfil the creative potential that our students have and mean that we have been able to significantly improve and expand the curriculum.

“The work on show from the students demonstrates what can be achieved with a little application and the fact that many of them are now going on to study further, more advanced, art and design related courses speaks volumes for the hard work they have put in over the last year.”

View more photos from the event here.