Education, Exhibitions, News

Leicester College Students Raise Funds for Charity through ‘Hopefullness’ Exhibition

A wall full of art with teaching is beautiful painted on the wall.

Last week we were delighted to welcome in Art and Design students from Leicester College to exhibit their own work in response to Bob and Roberta’s incredible exhibition, #HelpArtSaveLives, called Hopefullness. The project explored creativity, working within the creative sector, and raised funds for humanitarian charities – you can’t start the New Year off in a more wonderful way.

As part of their curriculum the project enabled the students to gain insight into the creative sector, to understand curating, marketing, and what it is like to be a working artist. The project was facilitated by the Learning and Outreach team at the AAC, who constantly strive to build meaningful connections and support for young creatives across the city from Children and Young People.

Serving as their main source of inspiration, #HelpArtSaveLives was created by artist Bob and Roberta Smith and Jessica Voorsanger in 2021 as a fundraising initiative where works of art were sold for a donation to a life-saving charity. As part of their project, the students visited The World is a Work in Progress at the AAC, attended a professional practice discussion with our Learning Team, and then made their own artworks for public display at the AAC called ‘Hopefullness’ in response to Bob and Roberta Smith’s work. The donations raised through sales went towards charities chosen by the artist, including Equality Now, Mind, Family Fund, The Laura Centre, The ADHD Foundation, and Cancer Research. So far, an amazing £120 have been raised! It is a must see exhibition to explore the work of budding artists, ponder on the intersection of joy and hope, and support incredible causes.

“The exhibition of work is a joyous collection of honest and sometimes highly personal work as the student’s answer the question of what hope is to them. It’s been amazing to see what the young people created” says Caroline Rowland, Schools Learning Assistant, “After 2 years of remote and in school learning, it’s been so valuable for young people to get out of there classroom and into a public arts space there they can be inspired, learn and display their work for so many others to see. After the success of this project we are hoping we can continue to work with the arts and design department at Leicester College again next year”

An amazing collaboration that imparts knowledge of professional practice, explores creativity based on hope, and raises funds for incredible causes. We are so grateful for the work of the students and our always brilliant Learning and Outreach Team.

The exhibition is on until the 31st January with pieces still available for a great cause – don’t miss out.

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