Nottingham Trent University welcomes alumni to celebrate 170 years

Work by papercut artist Rob Ryan and illustrator Jon Burgerman will sit alongside that of Turner prize winner Simon Starling, Sexy Beast film director Jonathan Glazer and comic actor Paul Kaye, among many others.

The exhibition Since 1843: in the Making, opens in the new year and will also see a new installation by artist Lucy Orta, and work by rock photographer Andy Earl displayed.

There is of course a slight bias to the living alumni, but the college also remembers its students of old, like Dame Laura Knight, who gained a place in 1890 aged 13 despite living a life of poverty in nearby Long Eaton.

After studying painting she went on to become the first woman to be elected to the Royal Academy, and you can see some of her canvasses at the exhibition in the Bonington Gallery. 

Ann Priest, pro-vice chancellor of Nottingham Trent University and head of the college of Art, Design and the Built Environment says, ‘The exhibition is the first of a year of events which will be celebrating the heritage and history of the School of Art & Design. And over the coming months these events will act as a framework to set an agenda for our future.’

The School of Art & Design started life as the Nottingham Government School of Design in 1843 and was one of several institutions set up by the Government to improve the design skills of industrial workers.

According to Nottingham Trent University, ‘The Nottingham school was soon attracting hundreds of local female lace workers.’

Since 1843: In the Making runs from 8 January – 7 February 2014 at Nottingham Trent University, Burton Street, Nottingham, NG1 4BU.