Hand in glove success for Bedford College

Students from Bedford College have been awarded first prize and runner-up prizes in a British Glove national competition - looking at safety gloves.

Przemyslaw Pencak on the National Diploma Graphics Course was first and Claire Deacon, on the same course, was runner-up. Przemyslaw will receive £300 and Claire £100 at a luncheon to be hosted at the Worshipful Company of Glovers of London at Plaisterers' Hall, One London Wall, London on 4 July.

The competition, which is open to all UK graphic design students, is

a key component of the British Glove Association's on-going campaign in support of safety of hands and fingers in the work place.

Entrants were required to design a poster campaign for a beer and

spirits company which is attention grabbing, impactful and hard

hitting. The campaign is required to make employees aware of the

serious hand injuries that can result if they do not wear gloves and

to raise the profile of health and safety at work and how wearing

gloves is an essential part of this. It should highlight the risk of

injuries from lacerations from broken glass, heat burns and chemical

burns.

According to the Health & Safety Executive, over one milion people

suffer an injury at work each year and many of these are hand injuries.

The winning posters will also be printed and, with the help of BGA

members, will be distributed to workplaces throughout the country.

The work of Bedford College students will on display in an end of term exhibition in June

University of Dundee Arts Students Land Dream Jobs

A Dundee art student, and three graduates who studied in the city, have landed dream jobs at one of the world’s most famous art festivals.

Gyl Rae who is currently a student at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art at the University of Dundee, and Stuart D.Fallon, Emma Prat and Lottie Gerrard, graduates of the same college, have been appointed Invigilators for Scotland and Venice 2007 - the Scottish exhibition at this year’s Venice Biennale of Art.

The four, whose role as invigilators will provide a crucial link between visitors and art works by helping to promote the exhibition and ensure artwork on display is secure, will spend two and a half months working in Venice.

Hosted by the Scottish Arts Council, National Galleries of Scotland and British Council Scotland and curated by Philip Long, Senior Curator, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, the Scotland and Venice 2007 will be open to the public from Sunday 10 June until Friday 2 November 2007 at the Palazzo Zenobio, in the Dorsoduro district of Venice.  The exhibition features new work by artists representing Scotland, Charles Avery, Henry Coombes, Louise Hopkins, Rosalind Nashashibi, Lucy Skaer and Tony Swain.

Recognised as the world’s largest and most prestigious international showcase for contemporary visual art, the Venice Biennale of Art takes place every two years. More than 65 countries participate in the five-month event, with each country hosting an exhibition or pavilion dedicated solely to the work of its chosen artists.

On hearing of his appointment, Gyl said: ‘I'm due to graduate from Duncan of Jordanstone only a week before I fly out to Venice. I can't think of a more exciting and inspiring way to start my art career, working at the foremost contemporary art event in the world.  Without a doubt, working at the Scottish Pavilion, with some of Scotland's most exciting and interesting  art will definitely have a huge impact on my practise.’

Lottie Gerrard, who graduated in Fine Arts, in sculpture, from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and who has worked at a number of galleries, including the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, the Dean Gallery, and the Talbot Rice Gallery, said: ‘This is an incredible opportunity for me at this stage in my career to be around such exciting artists, to see the exhibition being installed and also to respond to visitors' reactions. It's a unique chance to be part of such a significant event and I cannot wait to get out there and see it all!’
Jenny Brownrigg, Curator of Exhibitions Department, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art at the University of Dundee, said: 'DJCAD places much importance on the professional as well as creative development of our students during their studies here. It is therefore with much pleasure we see that these four DJCAD students and graduates have been successful in becoming invigilators for the Scottish exhibition at this year's Venice Biennale.’

Amada Catto of Scottish Arts Council said: ‘It is hoped that the exceptional opportunity which is being offered to these young fine art graduates will enable them to further develop their professional skills and networks within the unique context of the Venice Biennale.

‘Their knowledge of Scotland’s position within the international art scene and their insight into the work of each of the artists on show at the Scotland and Venice 2007 exhibition, will provide visitors with an enriched experience of Scotland’s participation within the world’s most prestigious contemporary visual arts festival.’

Six Invigilators and two Senior Invigilators have bee appointed. The Invigilators will be divided into two groups, each led by a Senior Invigilator. The first group will begin work in Venice in June and help assemble the exhibition. In August they will be replaced by the second team, who will help dismantle the exhibition in November 

University Of Dundee Art Degree Show 2007

The University of Dundee will become one of the busiest gallery spaces in the UK tomorrow night (Friday May 18th) with the opening of Degree Show 2007, the annual showcase for the work of art, design, media and architecture students.

Around 8000 people were estimated to have attended the opening night of last year's Degree Show and the University is braced for another huge influx of visitors to what is one of the showpiece events of the arts calendar.

"Every year our Degree Show seems to become more popular and it is testament to the constently high quality of work which our students produce that so many people regard it as the MUST see show of the year," said Professor Georgina Follett, Deputy Principal of the University and Dean of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design.

"Degree Show is one of the most exciting times of the University year and adds a real buzz not just to the campus but to the city as a whole. This year's Show is dynamic, innovative, exciting and bursting with creativity with a show for every taste, where else are you going to see the raw talent, of new creative's placing their work in public view for the first time, it is a fascinating exhibition by more than 200 artists and designers showcasing thousands of new works."

Visitors to the Degree Show tomorrow night will be welcomed by the sounds of Scotland and Brazil. The Scottish band MacUmba will be playing outside the main venue at Duncan of Jordanstone College, showcasing their unique sound which mixes the traditional sounds of Scottish bagpipes with the infectious rhythms of Brazilian percussion.

The Degree Show is hosted by the University's School of Architecture and Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, which incorporates the Schools of Fine Art, Media Arts & Imaging, and Design.

Tomorrow's preview opening is open to invites only. After the preview Degree Show 2007 runs from Saturday May 19th to Saturday May 26th. Opening times are 9.30 am to 8.30 pm Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 4.30 pm at the weekend (closes 2 pm Saturday May 26th). Entrance is free and all are welcome to attend.
www.dundee.ac.uk/pressoffice/degreeshow07/

Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design is part of the University of Dundee.