Last night (8th June 2023), students at Xaverian College had the opportunity to showcase their creative talents at its end-of-year Art Exhibition.
The annual event saw students from the College’s Fine Art, Graphic Communication, Photography and Textiles A Level courses proudly present work from their portfolios to family, friends, and the local community.
Artwork produced by Daniel Monnie, A Level Textiles, Photography and English Literature student, and talented Music students captured the attention of all guests as they walked into the entrance of the College’s Ward Hall building.
Daniel, 18 from Sale, produced a final textiles piece around African Fetish Markets, commenting: “I wanted to do something out there and different but related to my culture and ancestry, which can be traced back to Ghana, Benin and Togo in Africa. I focused on Fetish Markets which was one the local traditions of ‘Vodun’ and a Fetish can be a god, human, plant, animal or material, and I combined this with some of the beautiful African fashions to create my final exhibition piece.
“Being at Xaverian has been great as everyone is so different and you are allowed to be creative in your own way. The teachers encourage you to be yourself, and especially with textiles where I’ve been allowed the creative freedom to what I want with the support of my teacher. I’m going on to study a Foundation in Art and Design course at Manchester Metropolitan University, followed by Costume Design at UAL Wimbledon College of Arts, and then I hope work in costume/fashion design as a career.”
Euan Cassey, 18 from Stockport, has just completed A Levels in Graphics, Fine Art, and Business and for his Graphics A Level worked to briefs around two fictitious organisations, an ethical charity called ‘Mission Marine’, and wine producer, ‘Souliac’. Euan commented: “The artwork I produced for Mission Marine, focused on environmental issues and I produced posters to communicate the messages of the charity, such as the plight of animals and sea life and charity initiatives, such as an ‘adopt an animal’ scheme. I also created artwork for a wine company called ‘Souliac’ and produced graphics for posters and packaging that focused on the eco-friendly ethos of the company and its products.
“I’ve really enjoyed my Graphics A Level as it has developed my creative ability and skills in using editing software, and it has and also inspired me to continue studying the subject at university. Eventually, I want to use the skills I have gained from Business A Level to start my own business as a graphic designer.”
Leticia Freire, 18 from Manchester, who studied A Level Photography, Fine Art and Business, commented: “I chose ‘space’ as my brief to work from and studied the work of six photographers, including Richard Hooker and Mark Searcy, whose style I replicated in my photographs.
“I had only started taking photographs as a hobby about a year before I started at Xaverian and being on the course has really helped me to become more interested in the subject and improve my skills to a high level. I want to continue by studying a Degree in Photography at university and my ambition is to become a freelance photographer. The college has been really helpful, and the teachers give you a lot of freedom to let you do your own thing.“
Fine Art A Level student, River Wyatt, 18 from Old Trafford, also chose to study A Levels in Classical Civilisation and Textiles at Xaverian. River commented, I was inspired to do my final art piece on Phobia Art and also by a student’s artwork from last year’s exhibition, which used dark, underwater and murky themes and tones.
“Being a Xaverian student has given me the chance to understand and develop what I like and don’t like, what I want to work on and explore next. It’s been a great learning opportunity to find the niche areas of art that mean something to me. My teacher was incredible and made us believe that we can do what inspires us and that we have full creative control over what we are doing.”
River is progressing to a Foundation in Art and Design course at university and ultimately a career working in illustration or graphics.
Shaun Steele, Divisional Lead, said: “Our Art Exhibition is a vibrant mix of the varying artwork our students create here at Xaverian with the support from our fantastic teachers. I am constantly inspired by their creativity and dedication to developing their skills. It was great to welcome so many friendly faces and see our students celebrating what has been a superb two-years. I am certain they have bright and creative futures ahead!”
The creative industries are set to soar across advanced and developing economies worldwide during the next decade, which will provide numerous exciting career opportunities, and studying a creative subject at Xaverian can help support you in landing your dream job.
As one of the largest providers of post-16 education in the region, Xaverian College offers exciting opportunities to over 2800 students. To find out more, visit xaverian.ac.uk – Discover Your Future!
