Unique art showcase for students

Talented art and design students who attended Cathkin and Trinity high schools have debuted their works in a unique exhibition at Chatelherault Country Park.

The budding artists were amongst the 39 former advanced higher students from across South Lanarkshire who displayed their paintings, sculptures and more at the stunning venue.

Hundreds of visitors from as far afield as Edinburgh and Arran came to view the exhibition which closed on Sunday, January 22.

The idea for the exhibition came from Mhairi McLaughlin, art teacher at Calderside Academy, Blantyre, who was keen to find a means to share the pupils’work with the wider community.

Supported and curated by South Lanarkshire Council’s education resources, the exhibition is a first for the authority and includes a wide variety of works from expressive to design, turned in by the now former pupils, many of whom have secured places at the most prominent art schools in the country.

Councillor Jean McKeown, chairwoman of the education resources committee, was amongst those invited to view the event on its opening night earlier this month.

She said:“This is an exciting and innovative venture, which marks a first for South Lanarkshire, and demonstrates the outstanding artistic talents of our young people.

“I am immensely proud to have the opportunity to see and promote the amazing work going on in our high schools, and have no doubt that each of these young people will go on to have hugely successful careers.”

Tony McDaid, executive director of education resources, who also attended the opening night, declared the exhibition‘inspiring’.

He added:“Not only is this showcase a novel way for our young people to share their immense talents but it is also a testament to the art and design teachers who have taught, encouraged and supported these pupils during their six years at school.

“I am delighted by the entire project.”