MIXED media and macabre models were all on display as art and design graduates celebrated with an end of year showcase.
Severed hands and dissected digits helped to make up the varied array of artwork on show by talented artists from Darlington College at a public exhibition in the town’s Kings Head Mercure Hotel.
More than 40 original works were exhibited by students studying level 3 extended diploma in art and design, specialising in photography, visual communication and fine art, Level 4 foundation diploma in art and design and evening photography courses.
Darlington College programme leader Abby Potter said: “This is the second year that our students have held their end of year showcase outside of college and once again it has been really successful with a great deal of interest from family and friends.
“Our art department has moved to a new awarding body this year, making the curriculum more coursework based and giving students a more hands on workshop based experience, which has resulted in some very interesting portfolios and it’s great to see all that hard work on display this evening.”
A number of Darlington College graduates have already secured unconditional university offers to study illustration, graphic design, 3D design, photography, model making and fine art.
Level 3 extended diploma in art and design student Monica Harris, 19, of Darlington, whose love of horror films inspired her display of chilling prosthetic body parts, has accepted a place to study prop making.
“I’ve always loved the horror genre,” she said. “I knew I wanted to be able to make horror props helping to combine both of my passions for art and the macabre and the level 3 course has given me a great foundation to achieve that.”
Level 4 foundation diploma in art and design student Jennifer Swinburne, 33, of Darlington, returned to college to pursue her love of art.
“When I started on the course I found that it opened up so many avenues for me from drawing to fine art,” she said. “It is the best thing I’ve ever done and shows it’s never too late to start.”
For more information on opportunities at Darlington College visit www.darlington.ac.uk.