There are some jaw-droppingly amazing art works in this exhibition this year. Our students really did come through as some of the most talented emerging artists we have had the pleasure of working with. Fine Art was astounding, whilst lots of digital art and illustration also is showcasing some amazaing talent. Textiles, Graphics, and Photography, are all areas that are also coming through as choices for final projects and specialisms across OCAD, showcasing incredible technical skill and understanding, so early on in their art education.

The Level 2 Certificate in Art and Design has never been more diverse and flexible to allow students almost complete freedom with their choices and developments to complete their qualififcation. Apart from us facilitating the bridge of creatiuve freedom with exam board criteria, we allow students to express themselves in whichever media they choose. It is the ground work, the planning, the idea development, the research, the explorations....that all come together to evidence the skills required to start this creative journey for our students. Whilst this exhibition is showcasing the incredible talent and skills of our students, it must be remembered that this final piece is the end of months of hard work - some students have portfolios reaching 120 pages of digital showcasing of that creative process, just in the final project alone!

Photography students worked very hard too this year, many with SEND provisions, which is mentioned just purely because there are struggles and barriers that many learners overcome and build a support network around them to be able to qualify at this level. To know a lot of this artwork comes from a place that is not easy, that is not straightforward and simple, just further highlights the determination and the huge achievements of our learners.

With expert guidance, with very experienced tutors, students can explore their creativity in ways that could be more restrictive in other education settings - many come to us with goals and ambitions that maybe they lost confidence in it becoming a reality; or that want to explore a wide range of experiences to get a fuller understanding of art fields and make their decisions based on what they enjoy and where skills seem to flow more progressively... we have many students on all their different pathways of discovery, so when we showcase the annual exhibition of final work, we also want to celebrate wider achievements - personal goals, personal adversity and resilience, and maybe even realising something in them that they didn't know they had. The talent in this show is clear, and we are confident that we can continue to walk alongside these students and see them progress further into their dream careers at the end of their artistic journey. It's been an absolute priviledge to be watching them all succeed to graduation and be awarded their qualifications for 2023.

Well done to you all!