Congratulations to students Grace Fordham and Emily Pritchett whose work has been selected to be part of the ‘At home’ online art exhibition coordinated by the Sixth Form Colleges Association (SFCA).  The SFCA is the established voice of dedicated sixth form education and the hub of a national network of sixth form providers.  

Students were asked to create work for the exhibition that expressed their feelings about living at home during a global pandemic.  Over 140 students from 46 colleges across the country sent in their photographs!  Grace, who studies photography at the College, submitted a piece entitled, ‘Looking in’, which shows the stark contrast between peoples’ living conditions.  Emily, who studies graphic design at the College, sent in two pieces, ‘Homemade’ and ‘Waiting Game’, which show some lockdown activities which we are all familiar with. 

Emily commented, "I’m excited my work is online with lots of other amazing pieces, and I love that young people all over the country are still being creative even though we’re stuck indoors.  All I wanted to do with my photos was show what my sister and I have been spending most of our time doing - which is playing board games and doing arts and crafts.  It’s been really fun because we have been able to spend a lot more time together, and we’ve made the most of staying indoors."

Launching the exhibition, Gillian Keegan, Apprenticeships and Skills Minister, said, “This has been a difficult time for the entire country but this exhibition is a wonderful example of how creativity can flourish in the face of adversity.  It’s great to see how these sixth form students have captured the experiences of lockdown from a young person’s perspective.  A huge congratulations to all exhibitors and I wish them every success for the future.”

Bill Watkin, Chief Executive of the SFCA, commented, “‘At home’ highlights the extraordinary artistic talent that exists in our sector.  We are holding this exhibition to recognise and celebrate excellence in sixth form colleges, but also to stimulate our thinking about the world this summer.  It is imperative that we keep the arts in education secure and flourishing.  If young people are to make a valuable contribution to society - even if they are to be successful scientists, engineers, doctors and technicians - they need to develop their creative skills, their artistic sensitivities and their ability to interact with others.  All of this will be more important than ever in the post-Covid world.”

Rose Davies, Senior Curriculum Manager for Graphic Design, said, “I am very proud of how the students approached the brief whilst working from home - they have been so creative and have expressed emotions that we are all feeling at this difficult time.  Well done Grace and Emily!”

The exhibition runs until 19 June 2020 and can be viewed here.  The students' 'At home' work has also been featured on the BBC news website here and is being celebrated on the TES website here.