Arts and design news
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Opportunity for artists to join AFF scheme - deadline soon
The University has again been selected to host the Artists Futures Fund's Breakthrough Artist Fellowship (AFF).
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Alumnus named iF Design Student Award 2025 winner
Zuming Zhang (MSc Integrated Industrial Design 2024) has been recognised as the iF Design Student Award 2025 with his project called SALANCE.
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Alumnus’ family business stems from love of cycling
When we invited alumni to share their #LboroJourney stories recently, we received some great insights into the experiences of our former students. George Laight shared his story about BikeStow, his family-run business that he also spent time at university developing.
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Three alumni featured in ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ art exhibition in Tangier
Alumni Aaron Soleci, Mark Montovio, and Monica Popham represented Gibraltar in A Tale of Two Cities, a cross-cultural art exhibition recently held in Tangier.
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Alumna Megan White chosen for ceramic residency
Megan White (Fine Art 2023) has been selected for a ceramic residency in Jingdezhen, China for four months. The residency includes studio space and accommodation in Tao Yang Alley, part of the Taoxichuan Art Center. Now in her third month into the residency, Megan tells us more about her experience.
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Spalding welcomes new public art by alumnus Graeme Mitcheson
A collection of stone sculptures carved by Graeme Mitcheson, a Fine Art graduate from Loughborough, has recently been installed in Spalding, Lincolnshire.
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Loughborough alumnus receives funding boost to grow sustainable furniture business
Nicholas Munn, founder of Black Pear Bespoke based in Worcester, has received a £9,000 grant to support the promotion and growth of his furniture business.
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Alumnus’ first commercial design wins a best of best accolade at the Red Dot Awards
Oscar Oweson’s design work has been recognised with a Red Dot Award in the Design Concept category, being named the ‘best of the best’ in sustainability.
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730 Daily Self Portraits: A solo exhibition by Chaz Howkins
Chaz Howkins has an upcoming solo exhibition at Surface Gallery in Nottingham.
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Alumna selected for Bloomberg New Contemporaries 2024
Fine Art alumna Sara Osman has been selected for the Bloomberg New Contemporaries 2024 by Liz Johnson Artur, Permindar Kaur and Amalia Pica.
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Alumna selected for prestigious Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award 2024
Laura Carey (Fine Art 2010) has been accepted into the Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award at The National Portrait Gallery in London.
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Fine Art graduate explores the conflict between femininity and performance in women’s sport
As Loughborough athletes compete in Paris this summer, closer to home Loughborough Fine Art graduate, Ellie Robins, has explored her deeply felt and personal experience within the sport of powerlifting through paint and ceramics.
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Calling all Fine Art alumni: AA2A scheme at Loughborough
Applications are now open for the next round of the Artists Access to Art Colleges scheme (AA2A), which provides artists with access to facilities, expertise and networks within a higher education environment.
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Alumna Audrey enjoys writing success
Audrey Carpenter graduated with a degree in English from Loughborough University in 1990. Audrey was inspired by an 18th Century Literature module with the late Professor Bill Overton. She wrote her dissertation on Isaac Newton’s literary impact which led her to discover John Theophilus Desaguliers, a polymath whose life she explored in her PhD thesis.
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Alumna Emma Whitty’s crafty career transformation
Emma Whitty graduated from Loughborough University with a degree in Human Psychology in 1997.
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A life after Loughborough - Peter's story
Peter Rhodes (Physical Education 1968 and MA Design studies 1998) shared how his career panned out after leaving Loughborough, and how his studies have supported him.
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Alumna chooses to pursue multi-faceted creative career choices
Abigail White graduated with a BA in English and Drama in 2014 and has channelled her love for arts since. After graduation she chose to pursue a creative career.
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Alice Burnhope: Textile artist blends sustainability and community engagement
London-based textile artist Alice Burnhope (BA Textiles: Innovation and Design 2020) is making waves with her sustainable creations and community-driven projects.
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Alumna’s creative journey: from banker to author
Jenny Care (Politics 1996) left academia briefly in the 1970s where she took a year off from study and joined Barclays Bank. Jenny then embarked on a non-traditional path. Romance and family followed, but her thirst for learning remained.
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Alumna spotlight: Kelly’s creative journey
Kelly Punton is a writer and an English teacher in the East Midlands. She reads and writes stories, plays, and poetry. She graduated from Loughborough University in 2013 with a degree in English and Drama. Originally from Lincoln, Kelly now lives with her husband and dog in a small town in Nottinghamshire.
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Sally Jenkins: from reader's letter to published novelist
Sally Jenkins (Economics 1984) achieved a significant milestone with the publication of her first traditionally published novel on April 25, 2023.
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From police officer to award-winning stonemason: The journey of Mark McDonnell
Mark McDonnell transitioned from a distinguished thirty-year career in law enforcement to become an award-winning stonemason.
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Former student transforms crafting passion into thriving business
Paula Milner graduated with a First-Class Honours in Printed Textiles from Loughborough University in 2006. She has left a lasting mark on the crafting community.
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Success for Loughborough University as two alumni join the UK Young Academy
Loughborough University is delighted to announce that alumni Joseph Bentley (Product Design and Technology 2021) and Professor Antonia Liguori (Design and Creative Arts, 2014-2024) have joined the UK Young Academy – a network of early career researchers and professionals established to help tackle local and global issues and promote meaningful change.
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Transforming from IT pro to thriller novelist
In an inspiring journey of self-discovery and determination, alumnus Iain Smith has defied conventional career paths by transitioning from the world of IT to becoming a thriller novelist.
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Celebrating the artistic journey of alumna Megan Rose
Megan Rose, an alumna of Loughborough University, has emerged as a beacon of creativity and success since graduating in 2013 with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art.
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Alumnus spotlight: Tom Hodge’s creative journey as The Dude Designs
Tom Hodge, known as The Dude Designs, has reshaped modern movie poster art, drawing inspiration from the golden age of film posters. His journey began in 2009 at Sony PlayStation, where he rediscovered his passion for classic poster art.
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Arts success for alumna Emilia
Dr Emilia Telese is an artist and art theorist based between Reykjavík, Italy and the UK. Born in Italy, she graduated in Painting from Fine Arts Academy in Florence in 1996 with a particular interest in XIV Century techniques, the Italian Trans-AvantGarde movement and contemporary performance.
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Alumnus utilises teaching expertise to write tests
Colin McCarty graduated with a BTech in Industrial Chemistry in 1968, and he was a teacher for the first 25 years of his working life. He taught science and became an acting head of a comprehensive as well as chief examiner for GCSE chemistry.
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Flux: A new sculpture for Claudia Parsons
LU Arts is delighted to announce Flux, the newest addition to Loughborough University’s campus sculpture collection.
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Alumna creates prints in the fashion industry
Charlotte Wills graduated from Loughborough with a BA in Printed Textiles in 2012, and immediately pursued her career in the fashion industry after being able to land a job at Next Menswear.
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Alumna Monica triumphs in TV Arts competition
Talented artist, illustrator and Loughborough alumna, Monica Popham has won the coveted 2024 Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year competition.
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Monica appears on Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year
Alumna Monica Popham has featured on the latest season of Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year, a television show where artists are selected to paint plein air in front of three judges and a set of cameras for the chance to win a commission for a gallery or museum.
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Alumna shifts career from economics to acting
Honey Gabriel came to Loughborough to study Economics, and she has always been interested in drama and acting.
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We are all protagonists - a film by a recent chemistry graduate
Alumna Tilly Gomperts Willis has directed and produced a film about a team that ran a 340-mile relay race, ‘The Speed Project’, from LA to Las Vegas. She was one of the runners herself.
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Loughborough alumnus builds a design consultancy
Tom Jarvis graduated from Loughborough with a BA in Industrial Design and Technology in 2012 and started his own business, Think Jarvis Design & Marketing, which offers the fastest WordPress based websites in the UK, using a unique site optimisation process and site editor setup.
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Alumna uses her passion for art to support charities
Lucy Hebden graduated with a BA in printed textiles in 2002 and started her career by teaching art in a local secondary school. After having children, Lucy’s passion for design was reignited and she decided to pursue it.
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Alumna publishes her own poetry
Amy Flahaut graduated with a BA in English and Drama in 2016 where she first explored the possibility to pursue a career in writing, and to fulfil that dream she decided to continue her studies and graduated with a MA in Creative Writing in 2017.
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Loughborough alumnus provides creative services to Airbus and Toyota
David Peter Simcoe graduated with a BA in Industrial Design and Technology in 1995 with a First Class Honours.
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From Chemical Engineering to a dance program: alumnus pursues passion for dance despite corporate career choices
Chukwudi Amadi graduated with a BEng in Chemical Engineering in 2015, before returning to his home country, Nigeria.
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Alum builds a digital platform to support performance art
Indy Sanders has launched a start-up, PerformVu, which is a global hub for streaming performance and video art from the world's top artists and art institutions.
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Alumnus enjoys success at 2023 Santander X Awards
Joseph Bentley (Product Design and Technology, 2021) has been recognised at the Santander X Awards for his innovative solution aimed at reducing fatalities from knife wounds.
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Alumna wins sustainability awards with her beauty brand
Dr Leanne King graduated with a PhD in Chemistry in 2010 and continued with post doctoral research at the University. She went on to build a career with Boots in the science innovation team where she worked on formulating products and developing innovative technologies.
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Alumnus Habib exhibits Black Pen Portraits in Leicester – curated by fellow alumna
Habib Hajallie, and award-winning artist and honouree on Forbes’ 30 under 30 list 2023, is currently holding his second solo exhibition at the Attenborough Arts Centre in Leicester. ‘Habib Hajallie: Black Pen Portraits’ has been curated by fellow Loughborough graduate, Rebecca Wymant.
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Alumnus collaborates with singer thousands of miles away to mark Remembrance Day
Alan Robertson has been arranging and recording music during his retirement. To mark Remembrance Day this year, he has collaborated with singer, Abby Strickland – who is based in South Africa, to produce a cover of a song that was written by Owain Park for the Military Wives Choir in 2018.
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From Loughborough to Oman: ArtHorizon presenting a modern vision in art
Alumnus Salman AlHajri, started his own enterprise “ArtHorizon” in 2021, in Oman, with a purpose of creating art in both its fine and applied form.
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Alumna nominated for The Wedding Industry Awards 2024
Laura Baker graduated from Loughborough University with a degree in the History of Art and Design with Studio Practice in 2003, later pursuing a Foundation Degree in Photography and Video at Leicester College in 2012.
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Design against Abuse: Tara Janes uses art to support domestic abuse survivors
Alumna Tara Janes graduated with a MA in User Experience in Design in 2021. She was quickly offered a job at Publicis Sapient; and joined their Graduate Scheme. Her role involved designing websites and other digital experiences for household names like Marmite, Dove, Kent Reliance and Asda.
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Vote for alumni shortlisted for the Global Design Graduate Show 2023
Peace Rodliff and Ellen Callaghan have been nominated by experts in the art industry for the Global Design Graduate Show 2023 in collaboration with Gucci. It is an opportunity for artists to share their creative work alongside peers from around the world and get it judged by industry leaders.
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Artistic alumna Dorota tells the story of reconnecting with her creative side
Dorota Biniecka graduated with a masters in Design Innovation Management in 2018 and has been pursuing her artistic career since graduating.
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Creative alumna uses recycled material to create models of wildlife
Anne O’Brien has always had a passion for animals and the environment - even when first starting her studies at Loughborough in the 1980s.
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Opportunity to enter the Global Design Graduate Show
The Arts Thread Global Design Graduate Show in collaboration with GUCCI is open to all undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate art and design graduates who completed their courses between September 2022 and August 2023.
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Fine Art alumna shares insight into painting career
Amber Cannings has exhibited her artwork across the UK since she graduated in 2020, with her work recently reaching Germany where she is currently based.
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Alumna paves the way for inclusive and sustainable fashion with Askari
Uma Shah graduated with a degree in Textiles Innovation and Design in 2019. Since graduating the alumna has worked in several creative roles and in recent years established herself in fashion design.
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AA2A artist placement scheme now open for application
Artists Access to Art Colleges (AA2A) is a national set of schemes that provide visual artists and design makers with the opportunity to undertake a period of research or realise a project, using workshop and supporting facilities in fine art and design departments of Higher and Further Education institutions.
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Fine Art alumna showcases her work at prestigious Lisson Gallery
The Lisson Gallery welcomes Sarah Cunningham from 12 July - 26 August 2023.
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Rebecca's career: Shakespeare to creative wellbeing
Rebecca Pratt graduated from Drama and English in 2012 and continued her studies in Theatre. She has gone on to pursue a career as an actor and director.
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Alumna showcases key campus locations through illustration, and shares her journey after graduating
Abby Wu graduated with a degree in Design Innovation from Loughborough University London in 2019 and has since visited the Loughborough campus to recreate drawings of iconic spots.
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Graduate inventor of incubator saving babies' lives in Ukraine wins The Princess Royal Silver Medal
Loughborough graduate James Roberts, the inventor of a new neonatal incubator designed, developed and manufactured in Britain that has helped babies thrive in NHS hospitals and across war-torn Ukraine, will be presented with The Princess Royal Silver Medal, one of the Royal Academy of Engineering’s most prestigious individual awards.
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An insight into the career of music industry icon Rob Dickins
From signing acts such as Madness to working on ‘Believe’ for Cher, alumnus Rob Dickins CBE has had an incredible music career. Starting out at Warner Music UK and spending 15 years as Chairman, the alumnus is an icon within the industry. Here we explore a few highlights of his career.
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Creative alumna’s ventures in illustration, writing and creating content
Sam Warburton has explored many creative roles over the years and has always searched for opportunities to expand in her creative career.
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From sculpture to opera, Andrew's creativity shines from the classroom to the stage
Andrew Robinson has taught in art departments in a range of different schools, and he spends his spare time partaking in a variety of stage productions.
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Alumnus combines automotive knowledge with creative design to build go karts
Pravin Rajan always wanted a go kart. Based in India, the costs of importing one would have been much more than the retail price of the vehicle – so he set about designing and building one for himself.
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Award-winning alumna uses textile design skills to create bespoke woven fabrics for interiors
Sophie Clarke began her business, Sophie Clarke Designs, after having to leave her graduate job and move home as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Creative alumnus shares his career in fine art
Philip Tyler trained in Fine Art at the former Loughborough College of Art and Design and has had a continued career in Fine Art and Printmaking since graduation.
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AA2A resident artist completes placement at Loughborough
Alumna Klara Szafrańska began her artist placement based at Loughborough in October 2022 as part of the national Artists Access to Art Colleges (AA2A) project.
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Shweshwe Baby, a family run clothing and accessory shop for babies and young children
Alumnus Alex Whyatt and his wife are the founders of Shweshwe Baby, a clothing brand based in South Africa.
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Retired Olympian shares his venture into the world of art
Brendan Reilly OLY is a two-time Olympic High Jumper who competed in the Barcelona and Sydney Olympic Games and has since dedicated his spare time to writing and drawing.
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Alumna selected as a designer for the Positive Teacher Company and produces a new stationery collection
Hayley Copeland is the designer of the Positive Teacher Company’s new collection Midnight Petals that includes a wide range of stationery and classroom supplies.
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How classical music has formed part of alumnus’ career in academia
Alumnus and former senior lecturer Professor Derek Clements-Croome shares his involvement in music ensembles as a violinist.
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Alumnus designs three-wheeled vehicle and re-opens e-bike and repair shop
Michael Singleton has recently re-established Happy Bike and designed a one of a kind ‘Trifecta’ bike that is headed for development.
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Creative drama alumnus shares insight into his career in the theatre industry
Lewis Wood graduated from Loughborough with a Drama degree in 2016. Since leaving the University, the alumnus has continued to pursue a career in theatre.
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Alumna creates bust of King Charles III for the Chelsea Flower Show
Keziah Burt is a figurative sculptor and portrait artist. She has recently completed a limited edition bust of King Charles III, and she is set to display in the Royal Tribute Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show at the end of this month.
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Alumna runs creative baking business alongside a successful engineering and technology career
Rhoda has had a flourishing career in engineering and technology but has always found fulfilment in her catering and culinary skills.
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Cards and Gift Wrap, a creative alumna business provides sustainable resources for gift wrapping
Janet Ross-Jordan started a small retail business selling cards, gift wrap and stationery over 10 years ago and whilst developing her business she found a ‘sticking’ point... sticky tape!
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Creative alumna Yia uses her skills as a multidimensional design artist as the Founder and Creative Director of Yia Designs
Yia-Loren Gomez completed her master's in art and design at Loughborough in 2017 and has been involved in many creative projects since leaving university.
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Could you share your creative Loughborough alumni story?
Are you a creative Loughborough graduate? From 26 April – 14 May, we’re inviting you to share your story for the chance to win a £100 prize.
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New YouTube channel launched by graduate company to support young people into higher education
Alumnus Alex Lees is the Founder of Tale Production, a video production company that started life at Loughborough. The organisation is focused on creating video within the higher education sector, producing content to support student recruitment, research impact, and about enhancing student experiences. He has now launched a new YouTube channel, set to support the education choices that young people face.
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A chance to see graduate artists at campus exhibitions
Six artists who are part of Loughborough University’s Graduate Artists scheme, will have their work displayed at the Martin Hall Exhibition Space across two exhibitions in April and May.
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Forbes 30 under 30 Europe recognises three Loughborough graduates
Three Loughborough alumni, Adelina Zotta and Habib Hajallie and Dalraj Nijjar have been named on the prestigious list for their achievements in their respective fields.
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Alumni and students create a journal to aid student and staff wellbeing
LU Arts has produced its very own journal with the help of graduates and current students to encourage people to try journaling as a wellbeing technique.
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Lesley’s film scoops more awards at Oscars ceremony
All Quiet on the Western Front – an adapted screenplay co-written by Drama alumna Lesley Paterson – saw further success at The 95th Academy Awards (Oscars) on 12 March.
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Loughborough graduate entrepreneur is among Innovate UK’s Women in Innovation
Loughborough University graduate entrepreneur Kate Allan is among the winners of this year’s Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award – and has much to celebrate today, International Women’s Day.
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Former Loughborough College building undergoing exciting regeneration project to expand arts offering in town centre
Whether you studied arts subjects or spent time in the town centre during your studies in Loughborough, you’ll likely be familiar with Frederick Street, home to The Generator building that is undergoing regeneration.
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Alumni exhibit at Winter Sculpture Park 2023
Two Loughborough Fine Art graduates, Sara Osman and Danny Young, are exhibiting at Gallery No.32’s annual Winter Sculpture Park in Bexley, London.
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BAFTA success for alumna Lesley as All Quiet on the Western Front wins big
Lesley Paterson was on stage at the EE BAFTA Film Awards last night as All Quiet on the Western Front scooped an impressive seven awards, including Best Film and the award for Adapted Screenplay.
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Incredible BAFTA and Oscar nominations for alumna’s adapted screenplay All Quiet on the Western Front
Alumna Lesley Paterson co-produced the screenplay for the Netflix film, All Quiet on the Western Front, released in October of last year.
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PhD student works with the Royal Shakespeare Company on their final project and takes their performance on tour
Normal is a semi-autobiographical piece, both written and performed by PhD student and recent MA Theatre graduate Tom Stevenson. Exploring notions of sexuality and Tom’s experiences as an openly gay man, the play is about an actor who since coming out is exclusively put forward to play gay characters by his agent.
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Wishing you all the best for Christmas from Loughborough
We would like to wish a Merry Christmas to everyone celebrating over the next couple of weeks.
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Alumnus James William Grant - Loughborough Campus Dystopia
After being impressed by his work in the 2022 Fine Art Degree Show, LU Arts commissioned recent graduate James William Grant to produce this playful composite image, which reimagines Loughborough University as a noir-ish cyberpunk landscape.
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Graphics alumna wins the site specific category at the World Illustration Awards
Miriam Pritchard (BA Graphic Communication and Illustration, 2021) has been recognised at the World Illustration Awards and has won the Site Specific category for her illustrations that celebrate the diversity of Loughborough.
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Alumnus wins prestigious New Artist of the Year Award
Habib Hajallie (Fine Art 2017) has been named the winner of the Robert Walters UK New Artist of the Year Award and has secured a £10,000 prize at an awards ceremony held at Saatchi Gallery on 10 November.
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Alumnus named an artist-in-residence in Decolonising Arts Institute programme
Habib Hajallie (Fine Art 2017) has been selected as one of eight artists to take part in University of the Arts London’s (UAL) Decolonising Arts Institute 20/20 programme. He will spend 15 months at Pallant House Gallery as part of his residency.
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Do you recognise this man? Help us reunite Alf with this sculpture!
Alf was a life-model at Loughborough College in the late 80’s and early 90’s.He acted as a model for this plaster bust. Can you help us find Alf and reunite him?
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Artist awarded AA2A placement at Loughborough
As part of the national Artists Access to Art Colleges (AA2A) project, alumna Klara Szafrańska has been offered a placement based at Loughborough University.
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Alumna wins best in category at Global Design Graduate Show
Isabella Phillips has been announced as the winner of the design for social good category in this year's Global Design Graduate Show.
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Fantastic fungi: Harnessing the magic of mycelium to create striking sculptures
You may or may not enjoy eating mushrooms, but how do you feel about having a vase grown by and made of fungi in your home?
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Meet Orbit, the interactive robot that looks to help children with autism spectrum disorders develop social skills
“Hey there. Allow me to introduce you to your new companion, Orbit, a robot you can play with and listen to. Not only can Orbit hear you, they can feel you too.”
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Alumna recognised for creative work in sustainable textile design
Abbey Hobbs (Textiles, Innovation and Design 2022) has won the Real Leather. Stay Different UK 2022 competition in the People’s Choice Category.
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Beyond the Bubble: Alumnae curate exhibition to share artwork
Anna Dermitzaki and Francesca Edwards are alumnae whose time at university was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. They used the experience as inspiration to expand their creative work outside of Loughborough and have recently curated an exhibition.
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The Access Group supports Loughborough graduates by displaying artwork at headquarters
The Access Group has recently selected a range of graduate artwork from the University’s Design, Creative Arts and Architecture Degree Show.
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Queen’s Baton designed by alumni and current student
Raymont-Osman Product Design is a company based in Warwickshire. Along with Birmingham Open Media and two other local design specialists, they were commissioned to design the Queen’s Baton for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Three alumni and a current Loughborough student were involved in the development and design of this technological device.
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Successful deployment of the mOm Essential Incubator in Ukraine
Alumnus James Roberts is the CEO and Founder of mOm, who has recently announced the successful international deployment of the mOm Essential Incubator into Ukraine.
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ACT Medical founder Joseph Bentley accepted for Enterprise Fellowship at Royal Academy of Engineering
Alumnus and ACT Medical founder Joseph Bentley (Product Design and Technology 2021) has won an 1851 Enterprise Fellowship at the Royal Academy of Engineering as he continues to develop his award-winning system for reducing the number of deaths from knife wounds.
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Alumna marks Platinum Jubilee with sculpture of Queen Elizabeth II
To mark the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, the National Army Museum invited alumna Keziah Burt to sculpt a commemorative bronze portrait bust of Her Majesty.
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Arthur finds a worm: Alumna designs sculpture for New Blue Peter Garden
Teresa Wells MRSS (Art and Design 2006) is a multi-award-winning sculptor based in the UK. She was recently commissioned to design a featured sculpture for the New Blue Peter Garden, an exhibition at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
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Alumna uses animation skills to support company rebranding
Kate Harwood is a social media intern at the start-up company The Garden, an online platform which supports academics and experts by giving them a space to share their expertise and research to a ‘community for the curious’ through interactive live talks and community discussions.
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Creative arts graduate Paige selected for New Designers’ One Year In show
Alumna Paige Denham (Textile Design 2019) is an artist, print designer and educator. This summer, Paige will be exhibiting at New Designers as part of the One Year In show.
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Graduate Artists Exhibition to launch in March 2022
This visual arts programme will consist of exhibitions, workshops and talks from 8 Loughborough graduate artists.
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Ian Storey – a personal insight into how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted on the world of performing arts
The coronavirus pandemic has touched the lives of many across the world as we have seen regularly reported in news media. Many have lost loved ones and others have had their careers adversely affected. The work impact has been particularly keenly felt for those working across the arts industry, with many performers forced to pause their careers or look to new avenues of income generation after losing their regular work in theatres and music venues.