A 70-year old artist is finding her roots by staging an exhibition expressing love for her home town.

“My grandson thinks I am cool for getting a distinction in my work.” Cath Forbes

LEVELAND College of Art and Design student Cath Forbes has based her work on memories of Grangetown.

Called People of Grangetown the exhibition at Grangetown Library, Birchington Avenue, will run until the end of the month. The 70-year-old studied a part-time foundation diploma in painting and drawing at CCAD. She said: “For my final project I chose something I am very fond of which is the people of Grangetown. “It is my home town and every time I meet some-one I know, all they want to do is talk about how it used to be. “So I thought this is the best way in which I can portray my love of the place through brightly coloured paintings because that’s how I remember it.” Cath went back to the street where she lived for the first time in 40 years but discovered it is now industrial units. “I was devastated,” she said. “I can remember there were eight streets of terraced houses which were full of character where we used to play and now it’s all gone. “This visit really changed things in my project. My memory was of rich red brick houses, but after

the visit I was sad and I changed the brick work in my painting to grey to reflect how I felt about the emptiness.” At the start of the project Cath put an appeal in the local paper for members of the public from Grangetown to come forward with their memories. “I was amazed at the response and one lady came to see my work and she got quite emotional when she looked at it,” she said. “I had long chats with the people who got in touch and the stories of the old Grangetown still live on. It was such a special place and I just want people to know about it, especially the young ones.” Cath has recently received a distinction for her course work at CCAD and is delighted that she decided to take the plunge and study art. “I’ve always wanted to study art and for the first time in my life I’ve had the free time to do it,” she said. “I’ve always been busy with the family, but now my family are really proud I have done this and my grandson thinks I am cool for getting a distinction in my work.”

For further information on courses at CCAD call (01642) 288888.

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A YOUNG graphics student is helping create a new identity for Cleveland’s first elected Police and Crime Commissioner.

LEVELAND College of Art & Design Extended Diploma in Graphic Design student Michael Ritchie has come up

with a range of ideas for a new corporate look for when the new Police and Crime Commissioner is elected in November. CCAD Extended Diploma in Graphics course leader Chris Beadle said: “We were approached by John Bage, secretariat office manager for Cleveland Police, with a view to coming up with a fresh new corporate image for the authority. “I chose Michael for the brief as he has a real artistic strength for re-branding and had just completed some great work for CCAD’s Middlesbrough Art Café. “We took five of his ideas to the Police Authority, four of which they have shortlisted for the new commissioner to consider. “I don’t know of any other 18-year-old who would have such a huge commission under their belt.” Michael, 18, of Hartlepool, said: “I’m really pleased that Chris chose me for this assignment. There are so many talented people on the course that it could have been any one of us. “The project took about eight weeks and I had a lot of good constructive comments from the police. If any of my designs do get chosen, it will be absolutely phenomenal.”

Police Authority chair Stuart Drummond added: “Obviously the decision on what kind of corporate identity to adopt will rest with the Police and Crime Commissioner, but Michael has certainly put an awful lot of work into this project and come up with some really interesting ideas. “We are grateful for his efforts and the involvement from the college and I’m sure that this experience will help him in the future.”

“Michael has certainly put an awful lot of work into this project and come up with some really interesting ideas. “ Police Authority chair Stuart Drummond

For more details on any of CCAD courses contact (01642) 288888.

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THREE students’ designs on the future have received a boost after securing the chance to take their talents overseas.

LEVELAND College of Art and Design students Sarah Fleming, Wai Ting Ho and Ambreen Iqbal are off to Como,

Italy, for a month internship with well-known de-sign company Trend Art. The trio, who are studying a BA degree in textiles and surface design, showed their work at the Print Source exhibition in New York earlier this year where they were approached by Trend Art. Sarah, 21, from East Yorkshire, said: “They came over to look at our work and when I got home I couldn’t believe it when they got in touch to offer me an internship with them. “I cried tears of joy that day. For them to pick me out of all those people was fantastic. “It also confirmed my work is to industry standard which is brilliant.” The three students will be working in the design studio using their drawing skills to develop ideas for Trend Art, which may be used on wall coverings and other interior items. Wai Ting, 23, from Newcastle, said: “It is so exciting to be given a chance like this and the timing is brilliant as we will have just graduated. It will be a great experience for us all. “I love drawing and love textiles. I have improved so much since being on the course and have become much more confident, which will really help when I go to Italy.” The three students will be sharing accommodation

in Como which will give them the opportunity to embrace their experience of living and working abroad. Sarah said: “We wouldn’t have had the chance to go to New York and meet Trend Art if it wasn’t for the college. “The opportunities available to you on the course are amazing and it really has helped me to get to where I want to be. “I know for sure what I want to do now with my future and to be given the chance to work on de-signs in a lovely place like Como is just a dream come true.” Tutor Claire Baker said: “We always encourage students to apply for internships to gain valuable experience. But for three students to get this abroad is extra special; it is fantastic for them.”

“We wouldn’t have had the chance to go to New York and meet Trend Art if it wasn’t for CCAD.” Sarah Fleming

For more course information contact student recruitment on 01642 288888 or

studentrecruitment@ccad.ac.uk.

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CCAD student Wai Ting Ho

A CREATIVE teacher has been given the opportunity to showcase her work on the international stage of contemporary art.

LEVELAND College of Art and Design lecturer in surface design and applied arts Claire Baker has been invited to take part

in the prestigious Contemporary Textile Art Triennial in Guimaraes, Portugal, in September 2012. More than 500 artworks have been submitted to the exhibition from 35 different countries around the world. Claire becomes one of only 53 artists chosen to exhibit work. Claire, of Stockton, said: “It is very exciting to be able to represent my country on this prestigious platform. “It is also a great opportunity to meet other artists and organisations from many other countries and it is brilliant for CCAD to have a presence and be recognised at such an important exhibition.” Claire will be showing a collection of nine bespoke collars, using both traditional and modern techniques, including hand embroidery and laser cutting. Inspired by the starched collars from the Victorian era to the 1950s, the collars are made from natural fabrics, thread and paper. The collars can be worn individually as catwalk fashion accessories, or simply wall hung as a conversation piece. Claire said: “I am particularly looking forward to

being part of the exhibition and broadening my knowledge of artistic practises overseas. “I am going to look at other international artists who have also been invited to show their work and investigate possible opportunities for future collaborations and placements for our students. “I am always encouraging students to take part in exhibitions and forge links with the industry; it’s a taste of real life. “Sharing my own experience with the students will be of interest to them because I will be able to speak first-hand about what happens and what they can expect.”

“It is a great opportunity to meet other artists and organisations from other countries and for CCAD to have a presence at such an important exhibition.” Claire Baker

For more details on any of CCAD courses contact 01642 288888.website at www.ccad.ac.uk

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Claire Baker with her work at Cleveland College of Art and Design

HAIR today and gone tomorrow was the order of the day for a caring student raising money

for charity. LEVELAND College of Art and Design

student in interactive media Ryen Ham-Ying has had his afro hair shaved off for Guide Dogs for the Blind. In front of scores of students and tutors, Ryen lost his locks in two minutes which he had been growing for nearly two years. The 17-year-old, of Marton, said: “I’ve grown my hair before and cut it off, but this is the first time I have done it for charity. “It just seemed like a really good idea to raise some money to go towards the guide dogs charity. Our student support manager has a guide dog called Buddy and he is a big part of the college and this is how I became aware of it and wanted to do something.” The college got behind the fundraising by helping circulate sponsorship forms and setting up a collection jar. Cakes were donated by Parkers and Upper Crust bakery from Hartlepool to raise more money. Ryen raised more than £200 for the charity. Student support manager Simon Morris said: “I think it is fantastic what Ryen has done to raise money for the guide dogs. “My own dog Buddy is essential in helping me to get around safely; he gives me freedom with confidence and helps me avoid danger.

“It’s brilliant that Ryen has held this event at the college in front of so many people. He his is very brave to do this but the money raised will go towards making a difference to someone’s life.” There are around 5,000 working guide dogs in the UK who provide essential independence to thousands of partially sighted and blind people. The lifetime cost of a guide dog is around £50,000. Guide dog owner from Middlesbrough Guide Dogs Stephen Beresford said: “It is just brilliant what Ryen has done to raise money. “I get involved in a lot of events like this in the area, each penny raised is essential and to see a young student like this getting involved is incredible.” Hairdresser Suzanne McLaren from Cucumber salon in Linthorpe was called into the college to carry out the hair raising task. Suzanne said: “I have never shaved hair for charity before. I think Ryen was very brave as he had very eye catching hair. But to do it for such a great cause is amazing.” Student Support Advisor Jess Salon added: “Ryen

has had a great audience here today. It is a fantastic thing he has done. He is such a nice person and we are all very proud of him in the college.” For more details on any of CCAD courses contact

01642 288888.website at www.ccad.ac.uk

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Dr Jenny Steel with Debbie Cooper and Blacketts clinic consultant Tracy Trattles

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