School art exhibition officially opened

Headteacher John Watson, PA Chris Firth, Mayor Godson, Mayoress Gillian Brown and Janet and Ian Sandiford at the exhibition's official opening

4 More Image(s) In Gallery

An art exhibition showcasing work from Oulder Hill Community School and Language College’s pupils has been officially opened by the Mayor of Rochdale.
 
School governors, Councillors, staff and parents attended the opening event at Sandifords Gallery on Drake Street on Wednesday night (13 July).
 
The exhibition features fifty pieces of art, textiles and technology work created by the GCSE and A Level students for this year’s course work.

The Mayor, Councillor Alan Godson, said: “Just looking around I think there must be some geniuses at the school, there is some impressive stuff.

“I am sure it will be a rip roaring success and it is my pleasure to declare it officially open.”

The school joined forces with the Sandifords earlier this year and Ian and Janet Sandiford offered the use of their gallery to the school.

PA to the head teacher, Chris Firth, was the lead organiser of the exhibition, she said: “We wanted to bring our art into the town, we talk about being a community school but it isn’t often that we come out of the school.

“It is something totally different for us to put a display on in an art gallery and hopefully it will be very successful.”

Mr Sandiford, said the bonus of being in a retail environment is that grandparents, aunties and uncles and other relatives can see the work of the students, who otherwise might not see it at school.

He added: “It is another plus for Drake Street and it will bring people up. We have always had exhibitions to bring people in and this is putting a positive spin on the problems at present.”
 
Head teacher, John Watson, described the exhibition as “amazing.”

He said: “All this is this year’s work. Next year we are hoping to get loads more doing art.

“I am delighted with the exhibition and it is so good of them to let us have the space. It’s not often that we get to showcase things.”

17-year-old Kimberley Williams’ lamp and lamp box were on display. Miss Williams studied resistant materials, graphics, textiles and food at GCSE level before progressing on to study resistant materials at A Level. In September she will continue her studies at the University of Leeds studying Product Design.

She said: “I really liked this project and I’m really pleased it is here on display.”
 
Postcards displaying the work of student, Elliot Greenwood, 15, who died last year are also available. Elliot was an animal lover and any donations made will go to the RSPCA at the request of his family.

The exhibition is free and runs from 14 July to 31 August.