‘Bright lights’ school pupils see their art on display in exhibition
Students from two secondary schools in Sunderland are putting their art skills on show in a highly-respected local arts exhibition.
Eighteen pupils at St Anthony’s Girls’ Catholic Academy and their mixed sixth form with St Aidan’s Catholic Academy – both parts of Bishop
Chadwick Catholic Education Trust – have are having 22 pieces of art displayed at this week’s Youth Arts Exhibition Bright Lights at the Washington Arts Centre.
The Bright Lights exhibition, endorsed by Sunderland Culture, showcases some of the most exciting artwork by young people in the Sunderland area.
In previous years, work by students at the schools has been featured but this is the first time over 20 pieces of work have been selected.
Jessica Sharman, an art teacher at St Anthony’s Girls’ Catholic Academy, said: “It is such a huge achievement to see 22 pieces of artwork by our fine art and photography students chosen from a possible 48.
“Celebrating young artists is something that is vitally important, not only for the art world but also for the confidence and development of our students.”
She added: “Being able to see their work on display in the Washington Arts Centre is extremely inspiring and encouraging, and gives our students a platform for recognition and success.
“We’re so proud of them. "They have such wonderful talent that we’re committed to nurturing and cultivating.”
Bright Lights 2022 is inspired by ‘Where There’s
Space to Grow’ exhibition curated by Celebrate Different Collective, a group of young people living in Sunderland – which creatively reflects on the industrial decline of the 1980s in North East England, while looking ahead to a progressive future.
The themes for this year’s exhibition include environment, nature, landscape and heritage.
Grace Fryer, a student at St Anthony’s, said “I’ve been chosen a number of times over the last few years to display my work at the Bright Lights exhibition.
"And I am always a bit shocked but pleasantly surprised.
“I’m very grateful to be a part of the exhibition again this year.
"Submitting work for the Washington Arts Centre exhibition has given me the confidence to continue to study fine art at degree level.”