Eight final year BA (Hons) Fine Art degree students had an exhibition in their honour thanks to a joint initiative between Isle of Man Bank and Isle of Man College.
The exhibition – appropriately entitled ‘Eight Degrees’- was centred round the Sayle Gallery at the Villa Marina Arcade and the Strand Shopping Centre in Douglas. The eight students had previously completed a two year Higher National Diploma Course and the extra third year extended the qualification to degree level, validated by Liverpool John Moore University.
College Principal, Professor Ronald Barr said: ‘The degree provision allowed students to continue to push the boundaries of materials and ideas. For some, this degree was an opportunity to enhance the rich artistic heritage of the Island, while for others it provided the opportunity for further advanced study and career progression.
‘The exhibition highlighted not just innovative ideas but also the passion and commitment of those students and the staff who supported them. In addition, the work reflects a different academic approach from that found in the UK, placed as it is in the context of an island community.’
Isle of Man Bank’s involvement was via its annual sponsorship under which it works in partnership with Isle of Man College to support education in the Island. John Lindon, Head of Community Investment for the Bank, visited the exhibition and said he had been interested to see the different methods used as well as the thought-provoking concepts on view.
Students whose work was on display at the exhibition were: Sharon Watterson, Manos Kalamenios, Colette Gambel, Ben Hickey, Matt Owen, Juliet Petrarulo, Shelby Sandyford-Sykes and Anne-Louise Clague. Currently, all are awaiting news as to whether or not they have achieved their degrees. Helen Fox, Programme Manager for Art Design and Media at the College said the techniques on view included painting, print-making, sculpture, installation, sound and photography.
Picture caption - Some of the students pictured at the Eight Degrees art exhibition. Back row, left to right: Shelby Sandyford-Sykes, Manos Kalamenios, John Lindon (Isle of Man Bank), Helen Fox (Isle of Man College) and Colette Gambel. Front row: Ben Hickey and Juan Moore (College tutor.) The students are pictured with some of the exhibition promotional material which they designed themselves.
