From little acorns art does grow

Hopwood Hall College student support manager, Tracey Marrow, with students Franchesca Kershaw, 19, from Rochdale, Acorn Director Ed Smith, Lois McGee, 17, from Rochdale, Rebecca Davies, 17, from Oldham & Eloise Dale, Hopwood Hall College’s student support tutor. Front row Francis Tighe, 18, from Rochdale and Chris McHale, 19, also from Rochdale

Hopwood Hall College students are working with the charity Acorn to help install artwork into its new building in Oldham.

Acorn is a treatment and housing charity helping drug and alcohol users achieve abstinence. The College has been working closely with the charity and as such when Acorn moved into its new premises the directors asked the College’s fine art students to create some art pieces that can help transform the interior of the building.

Tasked with creating artwork which explores and reflects the journey from addiction, the students have jumped at the chance to help. In order to fully grasp the issues surrounding drug and alcohol addiction, Acorn residents have been visiting with the students to share with them their personal experiences. Students are also getting the chance to visit the Oldham centre, so that they can get a feel of the space to help them with their creative ideas.

Tracey Marrow, student support manager at Hopwood Hall College said: “We are delighted to be able to help provide artwork for Acorn’s new building. We fully support the work Acorn does and have worked with the charity for a while. The collaboration is beneficial for both our students and Acorn’s clients. The Acorn visits have inspired and motivated our students. They are all really excited about designing art work that will hopefully have an impact on somebody’s life and for the opportunity to have their art work on display.”

Acorn director, Ed Smith, who visited the fine art students to launch the project added: “Having met with the students at Hopwood Hall College, I’m really looking forward to seeing the artwork they produce. Providing quality treatment combined with a comfortable, safe, environment is key to what we do, and this artwork will help create that environment.”