LEEDS ARTS UNIVERSITY ALUMNI NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2025
James Sharpe
Building relationships with graduates & alumni | Achieving graduate success | Alumni Relations & Development at Leeds Arts University
Welcome to the January edition of your Leeds Arts University alumni newsletter!
Happy (belated) New Year to all members of our vibrant alumni community! We’re excited to kick off 2025 by sharing the latest news, updates, and inspiring stories from our university and beyond. We hope this newsletter finds you in good health and high spirits as we reflect on the achievements of the past year and look ahead to exciting new ventures. In this edition, we’re thrilled to present ‘Mixed Up: Music and the Art School’, an exhibition at Blenheim Walk Gallery from 13 February 2025 exploring the profound and often unconventional relationship between art education in Leeds and local and global music culture. Central to the exhibition is how punk and post-punk DIY culture related to the teaching and resources of three art schools in Leeds—Jacob Kramer College (now Leeds Arts University), University of Leeds, and Leeds Polytechnic. In addition, the 2024 Access and Participation Plan (APP) Commissions Programme exhibition is currently on display at Blenheim Walk. Featuring works from Hardeep Pandhal’s ‘Quest Quest’ and ‘Humble Beginnings’, and Corissa Duhra’s ‘boundaries/bounded’, this exhibition is open by appointment until 28 February 2025. To book your visit, please contact [email protected]. We also revisit the incredible success of the annual Thought Bubble Comic Art Festival, where Leeds Arts University students and alumni were out in force. With over seventy students and twenty alumni showcasing their work, and recent graduate Blake Sampson hosting a captivating Monster Portraiture panel talk, it was another unforgettable event celebrating creativity and innovation. Finally, we are proud to announce the launch of our new alumni talk series ‘Alumni Unplugged’. This series offers a platform for alumni to return to Leeds Arts University and explore a range of specialist topics that can provide valuable insights and support the growth of current students and fellow graduates. Find out more in the ‘Opportunities’ section of this newsletter. Wherever you are in the world, we wish you a bright and successful year ahead. Enjoy the latest updates from the Leeds Arts University community—we’re so glad you’re a part of it!
James Sharpe
Alumni Relations & Development Officer
BA (Hons) Illustration graduate, Anna Readman, discussed the launch of Re-Live’s ‘Coming Home #2’ comic with Kirsty Wark on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row, along with Re-Live’s writer and veteran, Karin Diamond, Corporal Ruth Birch and Private Julia Currey. The release of the comic on 8 January 2025 coincided with the 25th anniversary of the lifting of the ‘gay ban’ in the Armed Forces on 12 January 2000.? ?
BA (Hons) Marketing Communications (previously BA (Hons) Creative Advertising) graduates Cicely Alderson and Lisi Davis were part of the team that developed this year’s McDonald’s Christmas advert.
BA (Hons) Illustration graduate, Izzy Dugen of Fawnillo, was approached by Lazy Oaf to make step-by-step video tutorials for their social media and website pages on how to create beaded bag charms.
Foundation Diploma in Art and Design alumna, Fiona Grady, was the Retina artist in residence at Centre Hospitalier National d’Ophtalmologie des Quinze-Vingts (The 15-20 National Hospital) in Paris. Fiona was provided with an apartment and a well provisioned studio in Bastille and spent a month developing new artworks and collaborating with the staff of the Ophthalmology Consultation Center and the Retina Center.
Recent BA (Hons) Illustration graduate, Emily Schofield, was a contestant on Channel 4’s Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas 2024. Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas aired on Channel 4 on Monday 9 December…did Emily go all the way and win?
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BA (Hons) Graphic Design graduate, Fizah Afzal, was selected by the Managing Director of eco-friendly brand Green Traffic Light, to update their logo and branding for use on their skincare and candle products after winning a Careers, Employability and Enterprise brief.
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In February 2024, BA (Hons) Fashion Design student, Millie Connor, was selected by the Founder and Creative Director of clothsurgeon, Rav Matharu, as winner of the annual clothsurgeon student brief competition. Millie was awarded an internship to work with Rav and his team at the Savile Row store. After graduating in the summer, Millie completed her three-week placement from October to November 2024. We caught up with Millie to hear all about it!
Recent BA (Hons) Illustration graduate, Elly Bazigos, has been announced as runner-up in the Observer/Faber graphic short story prize 2024 for her submission 'LANSA Flight 508'.
Jess West, a Creative Advertising (now BA (Hons) Marketing Communications) graduate, has worked on this year’s Christmas advert for Greggs. Jess filmed and worked with food writer and television cook, Nigella Lawson.
Blake Sampson recently graduated from MA Illustration with Graphic Novel, and took their dissertation beyond university to chair a packed-out Monster Portraiture panel talk, which put questions to high-profile comic creators at this year's Thought Bubble festival 2024.
BA (Hons) Fashion Design graduate and COS Design Assistant, Charli Senior, recently returned to the University to deliver a live brief to our current final year students.?
Award-winning TV chef and broadcaster Andi Oliver received an Honorary Master of Arts Degree from Leeds Arts University during a graduation ceremony held at The Royal Armouries, Leeds, on Monday 4 November 2024. The ceremony celebrated graduating students from across the University’s postgraduate and undergraduate degree courses.
International
Lexi Chang of HAZI HAUS, and the BA (Hons) Fashion Design course 2020, presented her SS25 collections on the runway at Vancouver Fashion Week 2024.?
领英推荐
BA (Hons) Fashion Photography graduate, Farid Renais Ghimas, has launched their debut photo-book with publishers Jordan, Jordan at Tokyo Art Book Fair.
Events
18 February 2025 6:00pm – 8:00pm, B1.B.08 Auditorium Leeds Arts University, Blenheim Walk, Leeds LS2 9AQ
Don't miss Creative Networks as we chat to English brand consultant and designer, Gary Aspden, about his experience of the fashion industry and careers connecting brands and pop culture. ? Perhaps best known for establishing adidas Spezial in 2013, Gary Aspden's career is littered with high profile collabs, celebs and football. A true celebration of his home turf of Northern England! ? Join us from 5pm for drinks and chatter before Gary gives us an insight into his career, craft and industry.
Exhibitions
14 February - 17 April 2025 Leeds Arts University, Blenheim Walk Gallery, Leeds LS2 9AQ Curators: Marianna Tsionki, Leeds Arts University and Gavin Butt, Northumbria University
Exhibition Preview: 13 February 2025 5:00-7:00pm (Free entry. Booking not required)
Blenheim Walk Gallery is thrilled to present ‘Mixed Up: Music and the Art School’, an exhibition exploring the profound and often unconventional relationship between art education in Leeds and local and global music culture. Based on the groundbreaking research underpinning Gavin Butt's book ‘No Machos or Pop Stars: When the Leeds Art Experiment Went Punk’, this exhibition examines how the experimental spirit of the art school shaped the radical, boundary-pushing sounds of a city music scene of lasting international significance. The exhibition celebrates the rich legacy of Leeds’ art school culture in the 1970s and 1980s highlighting its role in fostering cross-media experimentation, showing the unorthodox moves of painters and performance artists who chose to make music. Building on their example, the exhibition also asks us to consider the ongoing entanglement of art and music today.?
This exhibition also includes follow-up events on:
- ? ?Panel discussion: 12 March 2025 5:30pm-7:00pm
- ? ?Sound studio open sessions: 24 February 2025 2:00pm–4:30pm and 17 March 2025 2:00pm–4:30pm
- ? ?Performance: 31 March 2025 5:00pm-7:00pm
4 December – 28 February 2025 Leeds Arts University, Blenheim Walk, Leeds LS2 9AQ Artists: Hardeep Pandhal and Corissa Duhra
Leeds Arts University is proud to host an exhibition presenting 'Quest Quest' and 'Humble Beginnings' by Hardeep Pandhal and 'boundaries/bounded' by Corissa Duhra.?
14 January – 17 March 2025 Basement Arts Project, 28 Back Burton Terrace, Beeston, Leeds, LS11 5JH Artist: Mo Robertson
BA (Hons) Fine Art graduate and current Creative in Resident, Mo Robertson, is showcasing her latest body of work, Traumas of The Flesh, at Basement Arts Project in Leeds from 14 January to 17 March. Traumas of The Flesh looks at feminist issues and their impact on mental health. Mo Robertson builds an immersive environment containing a series of sculptures made from textiles and casting material. The exhibition is part of a cathartic process, one in which the artist creates a visual response to personal trauma and aims to raise awareness that many scars lie beneath the surface.
Opportunities
We’re inviting alumni to share their expertise and experiences through our new talk series, Alumni Unplugged. This series offers a platform for alumni to return to Leeds Arts University and explore a range of specialist topics that can provide valuable insights and support the growth of current students and fellow graduates.?
Alumni Unplugged is a dynamic network of alumni eager to engage with students. Whether you’re interested in leading group seminars, delivering lectures or workshops, offering 1-1 mentorship, or being part of a speaker panel, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact.
Whether you graduated recently or some time ago, this is a great chance to share your knowledge and reconnect with the Leeds Arts University community. Register your interest via this form and a member of the alumni team will be in touch soon.
Bursaries of up to ￡250 are awarded to help students and alumni achieve a better graduate outcome and support the career skills, attributes and experiences that will help them to progress into their chosen careers.
Applicants must have completed an Undergraduate Degree at Leeds Arts University in the two years prior to application.
An event series designed to help you navigate the world of freelancing! Each week, a guest speaker will share essential tips for succeeding on your own. Coming up, we have:
Self-Publishing and Zine Making Wed 05 Feb | 15:00-16:30 | B2.G.04 Sam Hutchinson, Artist and Photographer
How to Launch a Business Wed 12 Feb | 15:00-16:30 | B2.G.04 Liam Keogh, Business leader and entrepreneur in the creative industry
Get comfy with Quotes, Invoices and Contracts Wed 26 Feb | 15:00-16:30 | B2.G.04 Ellie Phillips, Agent at Outline Artists
How to Find and Apply for Funding Wed 05 Mar | 15:00-16:30 | B2.G.04 Natasha Joseph, We Belong Here CIC
AI and Creativity: Practical Applications for artists Wed 12 Mar | 15:00-16:30 | B2.G.04 Mike Winnard, visual artist and filmmaker
Portfolio How-To Wed 19 Mar | 15:00-16:30 | B2.G.04 Ellie Phillips, Agent at Outline Artists
Useful links
Join the Leeds Arts University Alumni LinkedIn Group for career opportunities and lots more!?
The Careers Portal gives you access to careers support, as well as loads of opportunities and events at your fingertips. Just register yourself as alumni and, once approved, you will be able peruse to your hearts content.
Further information
For further information please email us at [email protected] or phone us on 0113 202 8142.