Art college students in Hartlepool celebrate their achievements at graduation ceremony

Church bells rang out as students from The Northern School of Art celebrated their achievements at graduation ceremonies.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The graduates emerged from Hartlepool’s historic art gallery after each event to the peel of bells and were met by an informal guard of honour and applause from their former lecturers.

A total of 126 of the school’s students received awards and four received Higher National Diploma awards.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Northern School of Art is the only provider of specialist creative courses in the North East and students graduated in fine art, illustration, photography, textile and surface design, product and spatial design, costume design, film production, graphic design and production design for stage and screen.

Delighted arts school graduates after the ceremonyDelighted arts school graduates after the ceremony
Delighted arts school graduates after the ceremony

Each of the ceremonies featured a keynote speech by fashion historian and broadcaster Amber Butchart.

Northern School of Art’s Principal, Martin Raby said: “Today is a very happy one for our new graduates and their loved ones and one which celebrates their wonderful achievements whilst studying with us.

“Many of these graduates have already secured employment in the creative sector or are moving on the post-graduate courses, continuing our outstanding record for graduate employability.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He added: “Today is also a time to celebrate the special place Hartlepool has in the creative life of the country, and its contribution to the rapidly expanding creative industries which consistently outstrip the rest of the UK economy in terms of both value and employment growth.”

Morgan BriggsMorgan Briggs
Morgan Briggs

There were emotional scenes in Church Square.

Award-winning student Morgan Briggs, 20, graduated at the school with First Class Honours.

The former pupil at Bede Sixth Form College in Billingham graduated from the BA (Hons) Graphic Design course.

He said: “I came to the school as it was the right step for my career.”

Art schools students celebrate their graduationArt schools students celebrate their graduation
Art schools students celebrate their graduation
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Morgan was the winner of the School’s Dean Brodrick Memorial Award and recognised as ‘a student who has demonstrated commitment, innovation and great achievement throughout the Graphic Design programme’.

The Northern School of Art is the only provider of specialist creative courses in the North East.