India-Jade Burnett discusses her piece with Shelly Van Meter, Head of Department UCN.

 

GENerate, a vibrant student art exhibition, is now open at The Base, Greenham, showcasing the exceptional talents of young artists from Newbury College, University Centre Newbury (UCN), and other local educational institutions. The exhibition, which runs from 12 – 28 January, offers a unique platform for students to display their creativity in a professional gallery setting.

This year’s exhibition, held in both the main and Runway Galleries, features a particularly strong selection of printmaking, painting and photography, reflecting the students' engagement with contemporary media in our visually rich culture. The works on display demonstrate the diverse range of skills and innovative approaches that these young artists bring to their craft.

Among the standout pieces are works by students from Newbury College and UCN. Margaret Parsons, pursuing a Level 5 HND in Graphic Design at UCN, presents two striking lino-prints characterised by vibrant typographical design, and a collective of students exhibit stunning photographic works, including Gianni Falino’s “Reflections”.

Gianni Falino
Picture credit: Newbury Today

Fiona Smeaton, a BTEC Level 4 Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media Practice student, pays tribute to Basildon artist Nick Schlee through a captivating landscape rendered in emulsion on canvas.

Robin Knoesen and India-Jade Burnett, who are also studying for the Foundation Diploma at Level 3, offer impressionist interpretations of Donnington Castle in their acrylic landscape paintings, completed after meeting Schlee when he talked to Newbury College art students about materials and techniques at his West Berkshire Museum exhibition ‘Drawn to the Ridgeway’.

The GENerate exhibition is open to the public until Sunday 28 January. Visitors can explore the artistic expressions of these young talented artists from Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Admission is free, with a suggested donation at the door.

This exhibition is not only a celebration of the students' artistic achievements but also an affirmation of Newbury College and UCN's commitment to nurturing creativity and providing real-world opportunities for their students. It exemplifies the College’s ethos of ‘Careers, not courses’, focusing on practical experiences that enhance students' readiness for their future endeavours.

Find out more about Art and Design programmes.