A NORTH EAST designer has taken on artists from across the globe to win an acclaimed international art award.

LAIRE Baker, a lecturer in surface design and applied arts at Cleveland College of Art & Design, has been named as the winner of

the prestigious Acquisition Award at the Contemporary Textile Art Triennial exhibition, Contextile 2012, in Guimaraes, Portugal. One of only 53 artists, chosen from over 500 entries worldwide, Claire’s exhibit ‘built up - broken down’, was an artistic interpretation and redesign of 1950s collars, given a contemporary modern look. Her work won her the overall first prize of 3,000 Euros. Claire’s exhibit of nine collars, some of which were found in an antique shop in Barnard Castle, combined her love of using traditional and modern techniques. These include hand embroidery and laser cutting along with materials such as wood and plastic to create a fine art concept which could be

worn as a fashion accessory or displayed as wall art. “To have my work chosen to be exhibited from so many entries was enough for me,” said Claire, of Stockton. “I never even gave a thought to winning so I was more than a bit stunned when I got an e-mail telling me that that I had been awarded the acquisition prize. “For a UK artist from a North East art college to win an international design competition really puts us on the map,” she said. “CCAD was fantastic in helping me with the funding to courier my work over to Portugal. I may use some of my prize money to fly over and see it before the exhibition ends in October. “I’m always encouraging my students to enter competitions so I hope that my success will spur them on in the future.”

For further information on courses at CCAD call 01642 288888.

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Above: Claire’s winning collars Below: Claire Baker working on her designs

CCAD lecturer Claire Baker using the college’s state of the art laser cutting

machine on which she created some of her prize winning designs

AN acclaimed young photographer is appealing for people to help him complete a record breaking challenge as he exhibits his work at a major North East art festival.

LEVELAND College of Art & Design student

Jack Harrison has set himself the task of taking 500 portraits in just one day as part of the Middlesbrough’s Show Us Your Art Festival. Jack, 18, of Middlesbrough, who is studying his second year of a BTEC Extended Diploma in Photography is one of only 80 finalists, chosen from over 300 entries, to exhibit his work at the annual three-day festival which will see Middlesbrough town centre transformed into an giant outdoor art gallery. The festival, run in conjunction with mima, Middlesbrough’s modern art gallery, will showcase a selection of exhibits from September 21 to September 24 including

sculptures, painting, drawings and photography in locations throughout the town centre - including churches, cafes and major department stores. “I was absolutely overwhelmed to have been chosen to show my photographs at the festival,” said Jack. “It’s such a buzz to know that hundreds of people will get to see my work – especially within my own home town. “The idea of setting myself the challenge of taking 500 portraits is not only to try and get as many people as possible to come down and enjoy the festival – but also to be part of it. “I’m planning to use all the portraits to create a giant collage which will be put on my website for people to tag themselves and I’m also hoping to print out and donate the finished work to mima.” Jack’s, who taught himself the basics of photography by copying tutorials on You Tube before perfecting his craft at CCAD, has already seen one of his images of Albert Park pasted to billboards throughout the town after being picked as one of just five photographers selected for the Discover Middlesbrough campaign by Middlesbrough Council. His work was chosen after being highly commended in a competition for Middlesbrough Library, which saw his photograph of Middlesbrough Central Square sold as the

retirement present for Judge Peter Fox QC. Fellow CCAD fine art student Nicola Mitchell finished second in the competition. “I’ve never been so excited in my life as when I saw the billboard outside Waterstones with my picture on it,” added Jack. “I walk past it almost everyday and keep wanting to tell everybody ‘I did that’. Being here at CCAD has given me so much confidence in my work. It has helped me explore my art and really develop myself as a photographer. “I’ve set up my own company JH Photography, with help from Nicola Mitchell, and we have already done a number of local commissions for commercial pictures – something I wouldn’t have been able to do without the skills I’ve learnt at CCAD. “I hope that loads of people will come along to the festival, see the incredible local talent on offer, and enjoy have their portrait taken.” Jack will be taking free portrait shots from 1am to 5pm on Friday September 21 in central square Middlesbrough. Any donations made will be collated on behalf of Zoe’s Place, Middlesbrough. For further information on JH Photography log on to www.facebook.com/JackHarrisonPhotography or nicnacno7.wix.com/nicolamitchellart.

For further information on courses at CCAD call 01642 288888.

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Above: CCAD Arts photographer Jack Harrison attempts record snap

Below: Jack’s discover Middlesbrough image of Albert Park

A TALENTED designer has landed a jewel of a job working for a prestigious company in the nation’s capital.

ORMER Cleveland College of Art and Design graduate in Applied Arts Enterprise Carmel Rice has secured a position as brand

and product designer for Annabelle Walker Ltd in London. Annabelle Walker designs and produces delicate feminine fashion jewellery that is sold to major retailers in the UK, including Fenwick’s, Bentalls and Strickland and Holt, in Yarm. Carmel, 26, of Eaglescliffe, now living in Canary Wharf, said: “I love this job and couldn’t believe it when I was told I had got it. “I have been involved in the creative start up of this company and I have designed the jewellery range for them from scratch. “It’s a great opportunity to put my skills into practise; I really have landed my dream job.” Carmel has also been involved in visiting China where she overviewed her designs being made and has further plans to visit again. “It’s a fantastic experience going to China and seeing my designs come to life, the jewellery is very delicate and takes a lot of skilled work,” she said. “There may also be further work happening in Korea later in the year which is exciting. “I really enjoy working abroad and would be

happy to take my designs anywhere in the world.” Carmel is also involved in the major trade fashion shows in the UK including Pulse, Top Drawer and the Harrogate Fashion Fair.

“I would recommend the course to anyone as I know without doubt I wouldn’t be doing this job without it.” Carmel Rice “When I was on the course at CCAD we were always told about the benefits of links with the industry and I can now see how important that is,” she said. “I learned so much on the course and it gives you so many options to get into the industry. I would recommend the course to anyone as I know without doubt I wouldn’t be doing this job without it.”

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

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Honing her skills, Carmel Rice pictured in the studio at CCAD

CREATIVE community craft makers have been showcasing their skills for the first time in a high street exhibition.

“It has been a very successful project and strengthened our links with the community, which is important to us.” CCAD business development manager Melanie Shee

LEVELAND College of Art and Design staged a series of workshops aimed at a varied audience from across the Tees Valley including Hartlepool Mind’s

Crafty Makers. More than 120 adults and children from the community took part in the programme which was funded through Arts Council England and the National Lottery. CCAD business development manager Melanie Shee said: “This is all about encouraging people to learn new skills and experiences, to come and try something they have never done before and get creative. “It’s also about opening up the college to the community and the chance to use the facilities too.” The college was also approached by Hartlepool Mind, an organisation which supports better mental health, to see if its group of Crafty Makers could take part in the workshops. Mind’s Aimee Ruby said: “This has been an amazing experience for our clients; it has helped their confidence so much. “There has always been a link between mental health and art and we are very grateful to have the opportunity to work with the college like this. “The tutors have been brilliant and explained things really well. The feedback has been excellent and it really has inspired a lot of people.”

CCAD provided 15 workshops, including creative hand embroidery, felt garlands, Raku, jewellery using metal clay, designing and printing tote bag giant knitting and, for the children, 3D cardboard robots and carnival masks. Rachel Skinner, 24, of Hartlepool, said: “I have really enjoyed it. I made an embroidered flower, a ceramic pot and a felt ball garland. “I have learned a lot of new things, met lots of people and made lots of new friends too.” The workshops came to a successful end by holding an exhibition in folio, in Church Square, Hartlepool. The shop is run by CCAD providing a unique retail space showcasing a range of products, covering creative disciplines including textiles, fashion, ceramics and jewellery. Craft project coordinator Amanda Bradley said: “It’s been great to be involved in the programme. Everyone has really enjoyed it and couldn’t get enough.” Melanie added: “It has been a very successful project and strengthened our links with the community, which is important to us. “The comments from the artists and makers in the workshops have been amazing and we would love to be able to do it again in the future.”

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

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Aimee Ruby from Hartlepool Mind with Amanda Bradley and Rachel Skinner

A SET designer’s career has reached a crescendo after using his creative skills in one of the most iconic buildings in the world.

ORMER Cleveland College of Art and Design student Leslie Travers has recently completed working as the set and costume

designer on the glamorous production of the Merry Widow at the Sydney Opera House in Australia. The 43-year-old, originally from Hartlepool, said: “This was definitely the highlight of my career so far. I was thrilled when I got the contract to do the show. “It is such an iconic and famous building, so to be a big part of it on such an important production was amazing. “It was fantastic to make the sets and costumes for the Opera House knowing that so many people would see my work. There were around 2,000 people in the audience; this was a real landmark for me.” Leslie studied art and design at CCAD in 1988 and since then has built up a world-wide reputation with his company Leslie Travers Design. He now lives in London and has worked on over 100 operas and theatre shows in venues in Ireland,

Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Japan, Canada, USA and now Australia. He has worked with well-known set and costume designers on some of the best known shows including The Lion King, Billy Elliot and Mama Mia. His experiences have taught him how best to hit deadlines and budgets and produce sample sets with the wow factor.

“It was fantastic to make the sets and costumes for the Opera House knowing that so many people would see my work . There were around 2,000 people in the audience; this was a real landmark for me.” Leslie Travers Leslie said: “After leaving the North-East, I came to London and graduated in theatre design from the London School of Art. Since then I have always worked freelance. “I started out as an assistant working on small and medium-sized shows. But my first big contract came when I was 26-years-old and I was asked by Lesley Kemp to design and make the set and costumes for a production called Veriete, at the Hackney Empire. “This opportunity really took things to a different level. Lesley Kemp was very well known in the industry and this helped in getting my name out

F Former Cleveland College of Art and

Design student Leslie Travers

Above: Leslie Travers set designs for the production of the Merry Widow at the Sydney Opera House in Australia

“It’s all about detail and making sure everything is right. My task is to make sure everyone knows what they are doing and that their work is fitting into the right place. I always have an image in my head of what I am trying to achieve for each production.” Leslie Travers

“I probably bored them for hours on end,” he recalled. “But for me it was a magical world I just wanted to be in. I can remember watching musicals on TV and programmes about theatre and the stage and I just wanted to be part of it. “The turning point for me was when I went to see a production of Nicholas Nickleby, which was six hours long and I was just so impressed how they could tell this story just using props and furniture; it was then I knew this was what I wanted to do.” “It’s all about detail and making sure everything is right. My task is to make sure everyone knows what they are doing and that their work is fitting into the right place. I always have an image in my head of what I am trying to achieve for each production. “I like to do both costume and set design. I like the control over the whole show. It means it is very busy but I prefer this. “I work with a lot of skilled people, right down to the hair and make-up artists, to get the look right; it’s like working with an orchestra of people and my

job is to bring it all together in harmony.” During his time at CCAD Leslie was given the opportunity to try lots of different art disciplines. “It was such a brilliant year of my life because I was able to really concentrate on what I wanted to do and learn about art,” he said. “For me it was the best year of education I had as I learned so many different things, skills I am still using today. “I remember the college so well; I can even remember the smell of it and the pottery rooms and printing rooms. It was fantastic, really informative and gave me a great start on my career.”

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

Above and below: Leslie Travers set designs