2019 Art & Design Degree Show

From galleries to theatres to illustrations on radiators, York St John University’s campus is being transformed into a series of dynamic exhibition spaces, showcasing the work of emerging talent. The 2019 Art & Design Degree Show is a chance for more than 100 of York’s budding artists and designers to unveil their work publicly for the first time.

The show runs from Wednesday 5 June - Wednesday 12 June 2019 across a range of diverse spaces at both the Lord Mayor's Walk site and, for the first time, Spark York. It is the result of 3 years of study within a range of disciplines: animation, fine art, games design, graphic design, illustration, interior design, photography, and product design. The students have explored an array of themes within contemporary creative practice: politics & gender, branding & identity, sustainability and social experience.

Dr Rebekka Kill, Head of School of Art, Design and Computer Science said “Degree show is my favourite time of the year. It's the culmination of 3 years’ hard work for our students and it's just incredible to see how much they've changed, how much they've learnt. It's also the most collegiate point of the year, staff and students pulling together to do something really big and important; with friends, family and even potential employers coming to help celebrate this moment.”

This end of year show is a fantastic opportunity to see the next generation of contemporary talent in the North. Visitors will be able to meet our artists and designers as they share their artwork with the public.

Students are already making their mark on the art world. Fine Art student Hannah Cash has been shortlisted for the 2019 National Eisteddfod Young Artist scholarship. “It is great that through the degree show, we are given the chance to start conversation surrounding my work, with the public and other artists present,” said Hannah, “It is a springboard into the future and it will be a pivotal moment in the development of my practice.”

For some of the photography students, this will be a continuation of community work with York Hospital, focusing on engagement with arts and healthcare. Among them is Chloe Fryett who has already been honoured at the Eleanor Worthington Prize earlier this year. Chloe’s work is focused on our relationships with the elderly, documenting her grandmother’s day to day life “I wanted to document the things she gets up to everyday, she has been through many tough times in her life yet is still the backbone of our entire family. Our support system.”

Prizes will be awarded on the launch night, including ones from external partners Aesthetica and Chrysalis Arts, an organisation which seeks to reward art with a sustainability focus.