ART STUDENTS REVAMP LOCAL CENTRE FOR CARE LEAVERS

Bury College Art and Design students have been hard at work painting five separate murals in the New Kershaw Centre, a care leaver hub in Bury.

The students took on the commission from Bury Council as part of their work experience activities for Review Week. Digital Design students created each mural, which were then painted onto the walls by Art & Design students. The mural installation lasted just over a week, with the work split each day between four classes.

Ruby Kay, 16, very much enjoyed the opportunity to practice her skills out in the real world. The former Canon Slade School student said, “It felt a bit different, it was more real than what you do in the classroom. We had never done murals before, and sometimes it was difficult to come in and pick up where another group had left off, but we worked as a team and were definitely more productive than we would have been by ourselves. It was a great experience.”

Andrew Rogers, Assistant Curriculum Manager for Art and Media Studies, said, “Designing and installing the mural designs at the New Kershaw Centre provided our students with a valuable opportunity to work for a real client and meet their expectations and specifications. This wonderful experience also enabled students to work as part of a large creative team where they took on various roles and responsibilities. The final murals were excellent and have provided the care leavers within our community with a more appealing space.”

Review Week is an opportunity for students to participate in activities that will enhance their college experience, as well as improve their career prospects. Students are able to enjoy talks and masterclasses from industry experts, trips and visits to locations of educational interest, and take advantage of work experience opportunities, all of which give students the career-enhancing skills employers value.