Almost 1,000 visitors, including local businesses, families, arts professionals, and members of the public, attended to experience the extraordinary talent of students across a wide range of creative disciplines.
From sculpture to streetwear-inspired fashion, video game design to stop-motion animation, and fine art to photography, the exhibition offered a vivid showcase of emerging artistic voices in Derby.
This year’s exhibition featured an incredible variety of work, expertly curated and displayed across the campus. Visitors could enjoy intricately crafted sculptures, powerful textile projects and evocative photography series.
Highlights included a stop-motion film and contemporary art installations addressing important social themes.
There were so many standout examples, which included:
- Liana Clark’s (19) exploration of streetwear culture. Titled “Streetwear”, her project drew inspiration from the Bronx, New York, in the 1970s, the birthplace of street fashion. Liana researched the origins of the movement, charting its evolution and influence on modern fashion brands. She brought her ideas to life through screen-printed designs applied to a collection of garments, developing her own unique brand identity. The project was supported by photography and a self-published zine, which showcased her designs, inspirations, and creative process. “It’s amazing to see everyone’s work in one place. I’m passionate about street fashion because it represents resistance and identity. This has been a brilliant way to tell that story.”
Liana is heading to study Fashion Art Direction at Manchester Metropolitan University.
- Emils Bistrovs (19) meticulously recreated a 19th-century apothecary model, inspired by the infamous 1856 Bradford Street poisoning case. The project blended historical research with intricate model-making. Emils, heading to the University of Derby to study graphic design, explained: “I’ve always been drawn to history’s darker corners. This piece let me combine storytelling with craftsmanship, every bottle, label, and cabinet tells part of the tale.”
- Isobelle Kennedy (18) produced a mixed-media series exploring the five stages of grief through abstract paintings, textured surfaces, and layered text. The deeply personal project reflected her own journey and resonated powerfully with visitors. Isobelle, who plans to study Illustration at the University of Derby, commented: “It’s been emotional to put this work together, but seeing people connect with it has made it so worthwhile.”
Sharon Brown, Director of Arts Melbourne CIC, attended and was full of praise for the exhibition’s scope and ambition:
“It’s an amazing display. We have a close relationship with DCG, and the energy and talent here are phenomenal.
“Many of these students will also feature in our street art showcase at the Melbourne Festival in September.
“It’s exciting to see future creative leaders emerge, and we’re proud to recognise them through our Emerging Talent Award.”
Janine Derbyshire, Head of Exhibitions and Events, was equally impressed, describing the event as “university-level in its diversity, standard and creative ambition.”
She added: “There’s a huge variety of disciplines on show, and every single project reflects hours of hard work and a clear artistic voice.
“It’s a credit to the students and their teachers; the exhibition rivals any undergraduate show I’ve seen.”
Charlotte Convery, Head of Learning at Derby Museums, highlighted the influence of the city’s cultural scene:
“It’s wonderful to see students referencing local landmarks like Derby Museums’ Pickford’s House and the work of Alison Lambert, whose solo show we recently hosted at Derby Museum and Art Gallery.
“These connections show how embedded these students are in Derby’s creative fabric.”
Tracey Ramsdale, Teacher of Art and Design at DCG, was proud of her students’ achievements:
“This exhibition celebrates not only technical skill but also resilience, risk-taking, and storytelling.
“The range of disciplines is vast, from traditional sculpture and printmaking to digital film, animation and textiles.
“It’s been an incredible year, and the students have created work that’s bold, thoughtful, and often deeply personal.”
