Four students from the UAL Level 2 Diploma in Art and Design at Bury College have seen their hard work and dedication rewarded with success at the recent Bolton University Aspire competition.

The competition was open to any student on any Level 2 or Level 3 Art courses in the North West area.

Beverleigh Claypool, Team Leader of Level 1 and 2 Vocational Art at Bury College, said: “As the group tutor, I am humbled and very proud of all our UAL Level 2 Art and Design students and for those whose work has been celebrated in this competition.”

Alfie Pearson, 18, finished first in the Applied and Fine Art category. The former pupil at Woodhey High School spoke about the inspiration for his piece: “The artist I admire most is Alexander Rodchenko, I used elements of his style in my work.” Alfie will continue his studies at Bury College and has applied for Level 3 Art, Design and Communication.

Evan Dyson-Gee, 18, was also delighted with his first place. He won the Lens Based Media Category and credited Canadian horror artist Trevor Henderson for providing him with his inspiration. The former Haslingden High School pupil also spoke about how much he has enjoyed studying at Bury College and how it has developed his skills as an artist: “The course made me tune in with my skills more, and through it, I learned how to express myself through my work.”

Two further students who had both progressed from UAL Level 1 Art, Design and Media to UAL Level 2 Art and Design at Bury College were awarded second prize: Uroubah Alrasheed, 18, for Visual Communication who has since applied for UAL Level 3 Art, Design and Communication at Bury College and Bradley Allan, 18, for Lens Based Media who has now applied for Steps to Work at Bury College.

Tom Sutton from Bolton University, one of the competition organisers, added: “The standard of entries this year from all entrants was extremely high across both Level 2 and Level 3 courses with students from Bury College providing an encouraging number of entries. Each category was judged by a separate, independent panel of academic specialists, with all winners receiving a store voucher and certificate of achievement. First place winners also gained the prestigious Creative Show Award. We congratulate the Bury College winners receiving four awards across three categories and all entrants who received a certificate of merit.”

Our practical Art and Design courses aim to develop students’ creative skills so they can pursue a successful career in the dynamic world of Creative Art and Design. Click here for more information: https://burycollege.ac.uk/courses/vocational/art-design-and-communication-level-3