Jeremy Irons joined Bath Spa University students, staff and alumni last week to officially open the new Locksbrook Campus, in his role as Chancellor of the University.
Photo © Chris Wakefield – Crescent Photography
Located next to the River Avon, the new multimillion-pound state-of-the-art campus offers the University’s Art and Design students facilities including flexible studio spaces, workshops and open areas designed to foster creativity and collaborative working across multiple disciplines.
The new building, which welcomed its first students in October, is the culmination of a major restoration project which has seen the former Grade II listed Herman Miller factory re-purposed and remodelled into a remarkable, contemporary new space for students.
A series of talks, events, workshops and exhibitions took place as part of the ‘Thinking Through Making’ themed opening celebrations.
Chancellor Jeremy Irons hosted a masterclass for Bath Spa University students before officially opening the new Locksbrook Campus with Vice-Chancellor Sue Rigby.
An exhibition has also opened to celebrate the talent of the University’s art and design alumni.
Jeremy Irons is Chancellor of Bath Spa University | Photo © Chris Wakefield – Crescent Photography
Painters, illustrators, designers and sculptors are displaying work across the Sion Hill Campus and Locksbrook Campus Gallery.
The exhibition is open to the public until 25th March and includes a piece by the late Sir Howard Hodgkin – a Turner Prize Winner.
Chancellor Jeremy Irons commented: “I’m delighted to officially open Locksbrook Campus today – this is a spectacular environment for young people to thrive in.
“The opportunities for students to collaborate with other artists and designers will allow them to experiment creatively and give them a breadth of knowledge, which is so beneficial in the creative industries.”
Vice-Chancellor of Bath Spa University, Sue Rigby added: “Locksbook Campus has been designed with our students and their creative practices firmly in mind.
“The central workshop facilities in the heart of the building allow students to move seamlessly between materials and processes and encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration.
“The creative industries are worth £100 billion a year to the UK economy, and continue to grow.
“Investing in world-class facilities will allow us to continue to provide a high-quality talent pipeline for the art and design industries, and help ensure the country retains its status as a world leader in the area.”
