Creative talent from Hull College will take centre stage this month as students from the Access to HE Art & Design course unveil a brand-new exhibition celebrating their work.
Titled Press to Impress, the exhibition will showcase a rich and varied body of individually hand-crafted work produced by Access to HE Art & Design students, highlighting their creativity, technical skill, and artistic development.
The exhibition will launch with an evening event at Monocle on Friday 20th March from 6pm – 8pm, bringing together students, staff, and members of the local creative community to celebrate the opening of the show. Following the launch event, the exhibition will remain open to the public at Monocle until Monday 1st June. Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 8am – 6pm, and Saturday to Sunday from 10am – 5pm.
A second launch night will follow at the college’s Institute of Arts building on Thursday 26th March from 6pm – 8pm.
Visitors can expect an inspiring collection of artwork spanning printmaking, ceramics and glass, drawing, and mixed media, with each piece reflecting the personal ideas, research and experimentation of the students involved.
For many of the students, the exhibition represents an important step into the professional creative world.
Niamh Sinclair, a 28-year-old student on the course, said: “Having the opportunity to exhibit our work in a professional setting is fantastic. Exhibiting your work like this pushes you into the position of thinking like a professional artist. Your work isn’t hidden away in a sketchbook anymore – it’s out in the world where anyone can see it.
“Knowing that people from the creative industry might view your work makes you take it more seriously and challenge yourself. It makes you realise you could achieve something really special.
“There’s a great quote from David Bowie that I try to live by. He said that as a creative person you should always be a little bit out of your depth – when your feet don’t quite touch the bottom, that’s when you know you’re about to do something exciting.
“My piece is a three-part series called Wintering. It explores how birds survive harsh winters, but it also works as a metaphor for how we deal with difficult seasons in our own lives. While researching the project, I spent time observing wildlife and noticed how birds simply adapt and carry on – they’re proactive and resilient. The series looks at different aspects of winter and encourages us to engage with it differently, rather than just trying to endure it.”
Fellow student Ashley Manns-Agar, 35, said the exhibition is the result of months of creative development and collaboration.
“Everyone is really excited to see their work on display at the exhibition in Monocle. We’ve all put a huge amount of effort into preparing our pieces, and it’s been great to receive feedback and support from our tutors and classmates along the way – from developing ideas to refining things like posters and presentation.
“Working with other students on the course has also helped us collaborate and share ideas about the meaning behind our artwork, whether that’s drawings, paintings, or other pieces. Being able to present that work to the public is a fantastic opportunity and something we’re all really proud of.”
The Press to Impress exhibition offers a unique opportunity for the public to experience the creativity and talent emerging from Hull College’s vibrant arts community.
Visitors are warmly invited to attend either launch evening to explore the work, meet the artists, and celebrate the achievements of students as they take an important step into the professional creative world.