A four-day exhibition at 44AD Artspace will showcase the creative talents of students studying part-time Love2learn courses at Bath College.
Titled Open House, the exhibition is inspired by the broad range of courses on offer at the college and will include work from a wide variety of artistic disciplines.
Gallery curatorship students have been working on the best way to display fine art paintings, photographs, jewellery, prints and sculptures.
It is the first time that the annual exhibition has been arranged by gallery curatorship students, studying on a new course at the college.
Katie Constantine, an apprentice at Bath College, is working on the exhibition with students Sal Smart, Danielle Arundel and Geoff Dunlop.
She signed up for the gallery curatorship course last November and has just received an unconditional offer to study history of art at Birkbeck, University of London, in September.
Miss Constantine said: “Everyone who has taken part in a Love2learn art course has been asked to submit work for selection towards the exhibition.
“We’re hoping to represent each course and present the high standard of artwork being created at Bath College.
“I am studying gallery curatorship because I want to go on to do a master’s degree in curation. This course is a great introduction.
“I have learned so much and every visiting lecturer has been amazing. What’s really emerged is that a wide range of skill sets and flexibility is required to be a curator, especially if you want to work within the commercial sector.”
Work at the exhibition will be on sale, giving people an opportunity to purchase original works from emerging and established artists.
Students producing outstanding work will be considered for the Love2learn Art and Design Student of the Year.
Course tutor Katie O’Brien set up 44AD Artspace, Abbey Street, in response to a shortage of studio and gallery space for emerging artists in Bath city centre.
She said: “I feel that this course delivers an invaluable introduction into the multi-disciplined world of curatorial practice.
“What constitutes the role of a curator is explored through lectures, discussion, field trips, and of course the real-time experience of managing the numerous considerations that produce a successful exhibition.
“I’m excited about the upcoming Love2Learn exhibition as it provides a fantastic showcase for the artwork alongside practical training for the curatorship students.”
David Merriman, head of department for art and design, said: “The annual exhibition at 44AD is in its third year. It is fantastic to provide a showcase for leisure learners in the city centre.
“The department now is running pretty much every conceivable course in the arts, from purely leisure based activities to high-level specialist skills programmes.
“Thanks to the Great Pottery Throw Down on BBC2, we have this term, seen a boom in interest and provided additional courses in ceramics.
“We particularly look forward to seeing this exhibition, as it the first one organised by the new gallery curatorship course “
Open House begins with a private viewing on 25th February, from 6pm to 8pm.
The exhibition is open to the public from 26th – 28th February, from 11am to 4pm. Admission is free.
