Students to exhibit work alongside local artists in aid of mental health

Saturday 01 July 2023

Islanders are being invited to attend an art exhibition and auction event at Victoria College, where students will display their work alongside pieces donated by several local artists – including Ian Rolls, Nick Romeril, Abi Overland, Rian Hotton, Louise Ramsay and PJ Thompson.

The students will receive up to 50% of the sale proceeds of their artwork, while the remainder will go towards a new "wellbeing garden" the College is seeking to build to promote positive mental health.

Planning for the 'ArtEquals' event started in January and has seen Victoria College students create artwork in their own time, using themes of 'my happy place', 'on my mind', and 'creative courage'.

The exhibition and auction will take place in the College's Great Hall between 18:00 and 20:00 on Friday 30 June.

Pictured: Students have been exploring themes of 'my happy place', 'on my mind', and 'creative courage'.

Victoria College foundation and alumni officer, Emily Sweeny, explained: "Throughout the summer term, students have worked incredibly hard to complete their pieces, taking part in after school workshops with design and technology teacher and textiles artist Mr Kyle Moody, and spending numerous lunchtimes in the art department.

"It has been such a fun and creative experience and wonderful to see how the whole Victoria College community, including students, parents and staff have really got on board.

"To further enrich the students’ artistic experience and as a final instalment on their creative journey, we now look forward to an inspirational silk screen printing workshop; this is courtesy of Anna Shipley, Education Officer at ArtHouse Jersey, and PJ Thomson, lecturer in art and design at Highlands College."

Pictured: The exhibition and auction will take place in the College's Great Hall on the evening of Friday 30 June.

Victoria College's headteacher, Dr Gareth Hughes, added: "With young people’s mental health a key priority for Victoria College, a unique event that brings sections of our school and wider Island communities together with a focus on creativity, fundraising and wellbeing is wonderful.

"I’m so very grateful to everyone that has contributed to ArtEquals and I am very much looking forward to being there on the evening and feeling the buzz in the room."

Free tickets for the event, sponsored by Intertrust Group, can be booked online here.