UCA Exhibition of Academy Work

The University for the Creative Arts (UCA) at Rochester will be exhibiting work by teenagers who took part in a special fashion course which offers a unique taste of Higher Education.

Students from Medway Schools and Colleges who took part in the Creative Careers in Fashion project will showcase their work at the University’s Zandra Rhodes Gallery between Thursday 21 October and 4 November 2010.

The outreach project was created to find new talent in the local area and focused on young people that might not have considered going to university before because of their background.

Professor Dianne Taylor, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Widening Participation, said: “UCA is proud to support the young people of Kent with this unique course.

“We hope it raises expectations of teenagers within the area and empowers them to set new goals for themselves and prove that their dream careers can be achieved.”

Creative Careers in Fashion gives students aged between 14 and 19 the opportunity to receive university-style lessons with some of UCA’s expert lecturers, plus special guests, such as London Fashion Week designer, Marcus Wilmont, Creative Director of Aminaka Wilmont.

Inga Patching, Widening Participation co-ordinator at UCA, said: “The five-day courses aim to raise aspirations of young people in Medway; to let them know that they could have a future within the creative industries and that Higher Education could help make their dream a reality.

“The week equips students with practical and theoretical skills that are vital for the real world, such as fashion design, pattern cutting, sewing and even marketing. Students on our Fashion Promotion along with Photography degree graduates help produce a high-quality portfolio for them to make sure they stand out from the crowd in the highly competitive world of fashion.”

Alicia Whyte from Strood Academy, said: “It was absolutely brilliant - if you get the chance to do this course, you must do it.”

The next Creative Careers in Fashion courses will take place at UCA Rochester during the Easter and Summer holidays of 2011.

For more information about Creative Careers in Fashion, contact Inga Patching, Widening Participation co-ordinator on 01634 888 693 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).