A group of North Wales’ finest art students have been hand picked to showcase their work at a premier creative arts venue.
The fine arts exhibition at Caernarfon’s Galeri Creative Arts Centre, is giving a selection of Coleg Menai students the opportunity to display their work in a professional exhibition environment.
“This is an amazing opportunity for young artists like myself,” said Catrin Menai, 24 years old, from Bethesda. “It’s such a boost for us to have our work displayed in a professional gallery, although pretty nerve-wracking to think that the public will see my work for the first time.”
Dawn Worsley, Galeri’s Arts Coordinator said: “This is the sixth year of the collaboration between Galeri and Coleg Menai and it has grown into an important event for young artists. The standard of work is outstanding, a credit to the college and to North Wales.”
Selected by Galeri, the exhibition celebrates the work of seven Coleg Menai second year degree fine art students.
Amongst those selected was mature student Mark Muggeridge, originally from London but now living in Llanddaniel, Anglesey: “Five years ago I was an unhappy Creative Design Director at a London advertising agency, today I’m exhibiting my work in North Wales. I moved to Anglesey so I could pursue my love of art and I enrolled on the degree arts course at Coleg Menai, the best thing I ever did,” said the 57 year old artist.
Helen Jones, Coleg Menai’s BA Fine Arts course leader said: “It’s a superb showcase of the talented artists, and a taste of things to come in the contemporary art world.”
The exhibition opened to the public on Saturday (21 April), and amongst it first guests was Alfredo Cramerotti, the renowned Director at Llandudno’s Oriel Mostyn Gallery, “It was a privilege and honour to attend this fascinating exhibition. It gives us a glimpse into the future of art and what the type of work that will be filling our galleries.”
“The partnership between professional art centres and educational institutions like Coleg Menai is absolutely vital for nurturing and developing artists of thefuture,” he added.
The students will hope to follow in the footsteps of some of Coleg Menai’s past students which includes prize-winning artists Bedwyr Williams, Elfyn Lewis and blacksmith Ann Catrin Evans.
Emrys Jones, BA (Hons) Fine Art course leader, thanked Galeri for “giving the students a rare and invaluable opportunity to display their work in professional surroundings.”
The exhibition, which continues at the Galeri’s Art Space until 18th May 2011, is open between 9am – 5pm week days, and 10am – 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.
For more information on the art and design courses available at Coleg Menai, go to www.menai.ac.uk or phone 01248 383 330.
