YOUNG designers have crafted an arts workshop for looked after children in Middlesbrough.

For more details on any CCAD courses contact (01642) 288888.

INE art and 3D students from Cleveland College of Art & Design held the ‘spooktacular, arts and crafts morning for

children and their carers to help promote Middlesbrough’s Fostering and Adoption Service. More than 40 youngsters, from tots to teens, helped to create a spooky collage at Stewart Park’s visitor centre with students Pip Herbst, Adam Shaw and Ellis Odlum. CCAD fine art tutor Judith Crompton said: “Having the opportunity to work with children in the local community is something that our students have really been looking forward to. “It’s also great for the college to link up with other agencies and I hope that this will be the start of something that will continue to grow in the future.” The workshop was one of a number of events organised by Middlesbrough’s Fostering and Adoption Service to help raise the profile of carers in the region. Fostering assistant team manager Sue Mansell said: “We have a significant number of children who require foster care. “In September we started a recruitment drive to attract lots more people to the service and events like these give us a wonderful opportunity to spread the word about the benefits of fostering. “It’s also a chance to recognise the commitment of our existing carers, who do a wonderful job and

for all of the children to have fun. “I am really impressed that Pip, Ellis and Adam have given up their time to come along and work with the children – they have been absolutely wonderful.” As well as producing crafts the students also helped out with fundraising raffles and toffee apple selling. Pip, 17, of Middlesbrough, said: “It has been so much fun getting involved with the children. “We’ve been making cards and crafts, helping with cutting and sticking and using lots and lots of glitter.” Adam, 20, of Stockton, said: “The children have been so creative, really joined in and have loved getting stuck into all of the arts and crafts. “It’s wonderful to be able to teach young people new skills and today has been absolutely fantastic.” Carer Carol Ann Bullock, 44, who attended the event with her daughter Natasha, 10, and her foster children, added: “It’s so rewarding to foster. Children make your life and all they want in return is a loving family. “I’ve been fostering for 13 years and have looked after more than 200 children. It’s great to have events like this where all the children can get together and see that they are not the only ones. “For the CCAD students to give up their own time, come and work with the children and to see them having so much fun is magical.”

F Cleveland College of Art & Design fine art students Adam Shaw, 20, of Stockton and

Pip Herbst, 17, of Middlesbrough, with Natasha Bullock, 10, at an arts and crafts workshop for looked after children

CCAD 3D student Ellis Odlum, 17, of

Middlesbrough with Foster carers Wayne and Bev Parker

A GLITTERING future is on the cards for a North East design graduate after opening her first exhibition.

AUREN Wilson graduated from Cleveland College of Art & Design (CCAD), Hartlepool, with a first class honours degree

in textile and surface design. She is now exhibiting five of her final degree furnishing lengths, screen printed cushions, tote bags and an assortment of original gift cards and prints. Lauren said: “I was so proud seeing my work in a gallery, especially as some of it was put in the main window display. I still keep driving past just to see it. “This is my first exhibition as a graduate and working in the gallery has been a great experience, really inspiring to share and discuss my own work with other artists and meeting so many visitors with a love of art.” The Alex May Gallery, in her home town of Bridlington, sells original contemporary art and helps showcase the work of established and up and coming young artists. Lauren, 23, has also set up her own design company Lauren Cherice Designs at www.laurenchericedesigns.blogspot.com taking commissions on her soft furnishings and giftware which are already attracting a growing following in the private retail sector. “I supply a few bespoke retail outlets at the mo-ment that specialise in quality homemade gifts but I’m always on the lookout for more places to sell,” said Lauren. “I supply a shop in Bridlington called Behind the Times and also CCAD’s own retail shop Folio in Hartlepool, where I’m told my tote bags are one of their best sellers. “I always knew that I wanted to pursue a career in

art and moving to Hartlepool to study at CCAD was a massive decision but one of the best I’ve made. “I still travel back regularly to attend a print club at the college campus and network with other students and tutors.” Lauren’s cards, bags, prints and soft furnishings will be on sale at the Designers Market Place, in Middlesbrough Town Hall, on December 15. Her designs at the The Alex May Gallery, Bridlington, will be on show until October 31 alongside work by other local artists including textiles, painting, jewellery making, mix media art and small sculptural art. It is hoped that the exhibition may be extended to run throughout the town’s annual Dickensian festival which will be held on December 09.

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Work by CCAD graduate Lauren Wilson on display in the Alex May Gallery

Cleveland College of Art & Design graduate Lauren Wilson

A BRIGHT future is in the frame for a talented artistic photographer after he snapped up a prestigious award.

LEVELAND College of Art and Design BA (Hons) photography student Fabiano Almeida was presented with the Joe Cole

Award for the most outstanding piece of artwork. The annual accolade, named in memory of former head of foundation diploma in art and design Joe Cole, is awarded from hundreds of entries displayed by students at the college exhibitions. Fabiano created two family portraits using around 3,000 images from 20 members of his family. Using these he printed layers of plastic to create one large image of his aunt and another image of his father-in-law. The project, called Tempo, features photographs of both past and present family members, older ones printed in black and white and present family in colour. Judge and former fine art teacher Ken Young said: “I chose Fabiano’s work as it shows fascinating tones, colour and composition in two nice images. “It has all the qualities of a drawing but it is a photo. His work really is outstanding and reflects the quality of the work in the college too.” Brazilian-born Fabiano, 33, of Stockton, said: “I couldn’t believe it when I heard I had won the award. I have enjoyed the course so much here and this really is the icing on the cake for me. “I feel so happy that other people appreciate my work and I’m quite proud of what I have achieved.” Fabiano is now preparing to continue his photographic studies by doing a master’s degree at London College of Art and is considering a future in creative advertising.

Programme leader Jamie MacDonald said: “Fabiano has embraced the new techniques that he has been shown here and his work is very challenging.

“His work really is outstanding and reflects the quality of the work in the college too.” Ken Young “He has learned a craft and has taken it somewhere else technically, which has resulted in two beautiful images which have a lot of meaning to them and are very poignant.” CCAD principal Martin Raby added: “This award is open to all our students and Fabiano’s work is typical of the quality produced by students at CCAD.”

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call (01642) 288888.

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Winner of the Joe Cole award Fabiano Almeida shaking hands with principal Martin Raby, left, with tutor Jamie MacDonald

and judge Ken Young, right

CCAD award winning photographer Fabiano Almeida

IT’S a dog’s life for creative costumiers after seeing their canine couture debut on national TV. “It is so impressive having first year students work seen on TV and for them to have had the experience of working with the BBC, so early in their careers, is incredible.” Jane Havakin

For further information on courses at CCAD contact (01642) 288888.

ALENTED design students from Cleveland College of Art & Design (CCAD) got tails wagging at the BBC after creating an entire wardrobe of outfits for the doggy puppet

presenters of Children's TV, Hacker T and Dodge the Dog. CCAD pathway leader in costume design and interpretation Jane Havakin explained: “Two of our former graduates Nick Hope and David Cruikshank are currently employed at the BBC in Salford. “I was invited down to see them at work in the CBBC studios and got talking to the producers. “I said how much our students would love the opportunity to make costumes for Hacker T and Dodge, who are renowned for dressing up and the producers thought it was a great idea.” Each of the 14 students was tasked with creating matching outfits for the two puppets using their skill and imagination to come up with wild and wacky ideas. “The only things we weren’t allowed to do were use branded names or use well known super hero identities,” said student Lauren Deal, 19, of Hartlepool. “It was quite tricky designing for puppets, as opposed to humans, especially dog puppets but basically we just let our imaginations run wild.” The 24 outfits created for the doggy duo included knight and jester, cop and robber, cowboy and Indian, punk and skinhead, as well as themed costumes for the jubilee and St Patrick’s Day. Jessica Royle, 21, of Hartlepool, said: “I was up at 8am watching CBBC for the first time in a long time when Jane told me my design was going to be used.

“I felt so proud seeing my knight’s costume used in a sketch, alongside one of Lauren’s, with Hacker T and Dodge doing a medieval rap.” The assignment, carried out in the students own time alongside their first year studies, is one of a number of live briefs that the college set during the two year course. They also encourage external work experience with students gaining valuable knowledge with companies including Chrisanne, who provide the costumes to TV hits including Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing on Ice, and Cosprop, who are one of the main costumiers for the ITV blockbuster Downton Abbey. “We received great feedback from the producers at CBBC who were over the moon with all of the costumes – I was told they actually ran around the studios gushing at how wonderful they were.” added Jane. “It is incredibly impressive having first year students work seen on TV and for them to have had the experience of working with the BBC, so early in their careers, is incredible.”

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Cleveland College of Art & Design costume design and interpretation students Below: CBBC’s Hacker T and Dodge

A COLLEGE graduate is making his own headlines after receiving industry honours from one of the UK’s leading magazine publishers.

ORMER Cleveland College of Art & Design graphic design student Oliver Amsden has been named designer of the

year by IPC Media for his work on two of the country’s favourite weeklies Chat and Pick Me Up! With more than 60 iconic media brands, including Marie Claire, Look, Instyle and Homes and Gardens, IPC sell to 26 million readers across the UK and have over 25 million global web users every month. “Being named designer of the year was a massive achievement,” said Oliver, 38, who graduated from CCAD in 1995. “Getting the designs just right for a weekly magazine like Chat is not an easy job, especially when you are up against the likes of Marie Claire and Country Life, so it was extremely satisfying to be recognised for my work.” As group associate head of art for Chat and Pick Me Up! Magazine Oliver is responsible for the

layout and re-design of the internal pages and the magazines front cover. “My interest in art stemmed from my parents who were both very artistic but didn’t follow it through,” said Oliver, from Carperby in Wensley-dale. “I suppose they impressed it upon both my sister and me as children as we have both gone on to have careers involving art. “My choice to go to CCAD was mainly influ-enced by my sister, who studied photography there before me, but my love for Middlesbrough Football Club was also a big deciding factor. “I really enjoyed the two years I spent at CCAD. Even though it was at a time before computers had really taken off they still had all the latest equipment and the tutors were great. “The college also gave me the opportunity to gain work experience, with a publishing house in London, with which really paved the path to me moving to the capital to pursue a career after I graduated.”

“I really enjoyed the two years I spent at CCAD. Even though it was at a time before computers had really taken off they still had all the latest equipment and the tutors were great.” Oliver Amsden Following his move to London Oliver took on a number of freelance jobs before applying for the post of page layout designer with Chat. “It took a lot of letter writing and a lot of rejection letters before I finally got a job,” added Oliver. “I love the flexibility of being a designer and IPC is a great company to work for and I would advise any student today to just apply for everything whether they are over or under qualified for the job – just go for it and don’t get disheartened – there is always an opportunity out there somewhere.” For more information on courses at CCAD call 01642 288888 www.ccad.ac.uk.

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Former Cleveland College of Art & Design student Oliver Amsden, 38, and the reigning designer of the year for Chat and Pick Me Up! magazines