Students from Penwith College welcomed family, friends and members of the local community to the annual Awen Exhibition. Hosted at Penzance School of Art, it was a vibrant celebration of creativity, innovation and artistic achievement, and part of this year’s Golowan Festival in Penzance.
The exhibition showcased an impressive range of work from students studying Level 2, Level 3 and Level 5 Diplomas, A Level Art & Design, Illustration & Graphics, Photography, and Access to Creative Arts, highlighting the breadth of creative disciplines taught at the college and the exceptional talent of its students.
Visitors had the opportunity to explore work spanning ceramics, graphic design, photography, illustration, textiles and mixed media, while students proudly shared the inspiration and creative processes behind their final projects.
A highlight of the exhibition was the presentation of awards by members of the Art Society West Cornwall.
Among the award winners was A Level Art & Design student Amélie, who received First Prize for her ceramic project, Erosion and Growth. Drawing inspiration from natural processes of decay and regeneration, Amélie’s work explored texture, form and the beauty that can emerge through transformation. Following her success, she has been nominated alongside five other students for a prestigious national award.
The exhibition also featured thought-provoking work from Lottie, a student studying the UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication. Lottie’s final project explored themes of social hierarchy, power and rebellion through a collection of sustainable costume designs inspired by the political symbolism found in Pink Floyd’s Animals. Using recycled and second-hand materials, the project combined textiles, printmaking and illustration to create striking wearable artworks.
Another notable display came from Noah, an A Level Graphic Communication student. Noah’s project, Colour with Illustration, examined the impact of colour within contemporary illustration and graphic design. Influenced by poster art and graphic communication, the work explored how bold colour palettes and detailed imagery can be used to communicate meaning, emotion and visual identity.
Kate Wilson-Powell, Lecturer at Penwith College, said: “I am incredibly proud of our students and the outstanding quality of work presented in this year’s exhibition. It has been a privilege to teach and support them throughout their creative journeys, and to witness their ideas develop into such resolved and thoughtful outcomes.
“It was a pleasure to celebrate their achievements alongside their families, and the exhibition stands as an inspiring showcase for our wider community, as well as for prospective students considering their own creative paths.”
The Awen Exhibition once again showcased the talent, dedication and ambition of Penzance School of Art’s students, while offering an inspiring cultural experience for visitors attending the wider Golowan celebrations.
As another successful exhibition draws to a close, the college would like to congratulate all students whose work featured and thank the staff, families and supporters who helped make the event such a memorable success.
