ISSUE 13
SOUTHAMPTON SOLENT UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE
SUMMER 2014
THE SMALL BUSINESS CHARTER THE POWER OF
NOSTALGIA AWARD-WINNING STUDENT FILM
CONTENTS
2 C onstruction and specialist courses 4 Nostalgia and tourism 6 The Small Business Charter 8 Photography on display 9 Fashion on show 10 Students’ life raft challenge 12 RTS award-winning student film 14 What makes an anthem? 16 Coaching and the community 17 Solent art successes
HOW TO CONTACT US:
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Send your news, views, queries and comments to: The Press and PR Officer, Southampton Solent University, East Park Terrace, Southampton SO14 0RB. Telephone: 023 8031 9040 Email: press.office@solent.ac.uk
Front cover: Solent student James Robinson’s display of photographs from around Southampton. www.experiencephotographic.com Designed and published by: Southampton Solent University’s Marketing and Communications Service PUBD: 2014040906 Printed by: Belmont Press
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FOREWORD | ISSUE 13
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Solent people have a creative and ‘can-do’ attitude.
LOOKING BACK,
LOOKING FORWARD I’m sad to say that this will be my last introduction to – so I suppose it’s appropriate that this edition features an article on research into the power of nostalgia, conducted by Louise Hunt in our Faculty of Business, Sport and Enterprise. You can read more about that on page 4–5. Yet while I’ve seen Solent change dramatically over my time here, this isn’t the time to be looking back. This is a university with drive and ambition, and I’m looking forward to seeing it continue to go from strength to strength. The core of that strength has always been people. From students and staff to our friends and partners in the wider community, Solent people have a creative and ‘can-do’ attitude – just look at graduates Sam Clarke and Matt Farrant’s
award-winning Birdman film (page 12), the innovation of our coaching students’ community projects (page 16), or the determination and drive of entrepreneurial graduates like aerial photographer Mikey Oldfield (page 6).
There are many things I’m going to miss about Solent. However, I leave knowing that the University is in the very best of hands – not just those of my successor, but of each and every one of you. I know you’ll take good care of this unique and very special place.
Of course, we couldn’t do it without the city we call home. Solent has always been proud to be an active part of Southampton and its region – and with the recent award of the Small Business Charter, Solent is in an even better position to give more back to local businesses.
So for the last time, I wish you all the best with the future, wherever it may take you. Bon voyage!
If you run a small or medium-sized business, turn to page 6 to see what our business development centre can do for you. A recent research project with Hampshire Chamber of Commerce showed that businesses often do not realise what they are missing – we can provide it.
Professor Van J Gore Above: Professor Gore with Hannah Watts, Solent Students’ Union VP Education, on the site of our new teaching building.
For a feature-length interview with the Vice-Chancellor, looking back over his time at Solent, turn to our centrepage pullout between pages 8 and 9.
SUMMER 2014 | 1
Solent construction graduates are meeting the needs of industry
THE RIGHT
MATERIALS
CONSTRUCTION | ISSUE 13
More work means more workers, which is why construction employers are particularly focused on attracting graduates leaving university this year; a wide range of opportunities exist, from general site-based jobs to project management positions, as well as roles in quantity surveying.
CONSTRUCTION DEGREES MAKE FINANCIAL SENSE A Complete University Guide graduate salary survey reveals that in construction more than any other industry, it pays to enter a graduate-level role – the sector has the largest gap in salaries between graduates entering professional-type jobs and those in non-graduate employment. A building graduate taking up a graduate-level job in 2012 had a £7,174 advantage over a fellow student entering non-graduate work.
CONSTRUCTION VS ARCHITECTURE
The construction industry is showing encouraging signs of growth, as the economic recovery gets underway. At Southampton Solent University the evidence is there for all to see, as a new campus building takes shape at the main East Park Terrace site – and students from the University’s built environment courses are playing their part in the development of the site, along with many others like it.
INCREASING DEMAND FOR QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS AS ECONOMY PICKS UP A recent report from the Construction Skills Network predicts that the industry will need to recruit an average of 36,400 individuals a year between now and 2018 – an increase of over 15,000 on last year’s forecast. A recent employer liaison meeting organised by the University’s built environment team confirmed these findings. All employers reported that their industry is doing well, with plenty of work in the pipeline.
However, despite the financial rewards, undergraduate applicants are shunning construction in favour of architecture, even though the latter industry’s demand for new recruits each year is significantly lower. The 2013 end-of-cycle report from UCAS shows that just 2,510 students were accepted onto full-time building and surveying degrees, while the number of undergraduates accepted onto architecture courses was 4,265. Although these figures exclude students on part-time courses, foundation degrees or higher apprenticeships, they suggest a potential skills gap in the future.
INDUSTRY LINKS VITAL TO SUCCESS Around 470 students are currently studying a range of full and part-time built environment courses at Solent, ranging from degrees in construction management, architectural technology and interior design to HNCs in quantity surveying and civil engineering. All Solent construction courses carry full professional accreditation by the relevant institutions, such as the CIOB, CIAT and CABE, and the University’s focus
on developing students’ hands-on skills provides plenty of opportunities for employers.
ENGAGING WITH THE FUTURE OF THE INDUSTRY Steve Bralee, Course Leader for Construction, says: “We actively encourage construction businesses to contact us for work placements … The more employers that are involved, the greater the learning experience for our students.” This year 30 students completed work placements, but John Barfoot, Academic Leader for Built Environment, is eager to get more employers on board. “We have students who are hungry for professional experience,” he says. “Within hours of arriving on site they can be doing something productive – they’re work-ready, keen to learn and quick to become part of the team. “The process is quick and simple, and it can take less than a week to have suitable candidates lined up. Flexible scheduling makes sure courses can be tailored around work opportunities, enabling both employers and students to get the best of the partnership.” If you would like to know more about placement opportunities for Solent built environment students, please contact John Barfoot on 023 8201 3701 or john.barfoot@solent.ac.uk Left: Solent student Gemma Mcquillan on work experience with Crest Nicholson at Centenary Quay, Southampton.
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…We have students who are hungry for professional experience…
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John Barfoot, Academic Leader for Built Environment
MAKING MEMORIES Solent research into nostalgia in the marketing of tourism
RESEARCH | ISSUE 13
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The results were fascinating and totally unexpected. At times I was moved to tears by their stories; it was an experience that was both thought-provoking and enlightening.
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Whether it is a smell, a sound or a place, nostalgia can be triggered at any time – and can evoke not just a memory but also a flurry of related sensations and associations, from sounds and smells to objects, products and people. The powerful emotional connection that nostalgia can evoke makes it highly valuable in branding, marketing and advertising – nostalgia is big business. Yet within the tourism industry, little research exists into this fascinating area.
“For example, it’s strange to think that nostalgia can be planned in advance, but apparently it can. People with children talked about times in the future which their kids will enjoy. In the ‘further future’, they believe those memories will be nostalgic.”
Louise Hunt, Senior Lecturer in Retail Marketing at Solent, was determined to change that. Examining the nature of nostalgia and its potential in the development of branding and advertising images, her paper ‘Image, place and nostalgia in hospitality and marketing’ was recently published in Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes.
NOSTALGIA FOR WHAT NEVER WAS
EVOKING THE AGE OF STEAM As part of her research Louise showed images of railway stations, powerful evokers of nostalgia, to a small group of people to discover how the nature of nostalgia varied by age and sex. She said: “The results were fascinating and totally unexpected. At times I was moved to tears by their stories; it was an experience both thought-provoking and enlightening.
BITTERSWEET MEMORIES “It is clear that something in the present – a sight, a sound, a smell, a feeling – can remind someone of the past in the most powerful manner. But nostalgia must be used with caution, as it does not always lead to happy memories,” added Louise.
Through her research, Louise was struck by the idea that escapism through film and television could evoke a sort of ‘pseudonostalgia’ for a period someone has never actually experienced.
One woman recalled time spent with her father, who has since passed away: “Looking at these [photographs] it was a very, very happy time. I was the only child, so I looked up to him very much – and ended up working for him for twelve years. I didn’t appreciate it at the time, but I do now.
“The reaction to The Railway Children was an excellent example of that,” said Louise. “They said: ‘The Railway Children film was iconic of its time, because I remember seeing it too many times and it just evokes a memory of what times gone by were like with steam trains.”
“He was only sixty-two when he died, which is very young, and after I left the business we didn’t really get on, which is a shame in many respects, as we did have those happy times when I was younger.”
Her research also found that men were more likely to comment on their adolescence and recall life-changing or first-time moments from their teens, while women tended to reflect on more ‘bittersweet’ experiences.
Louise has already started work on her next paper, examining personal interactions (or the lack thereof) on the London Underground. We look forward to seeing where it takes her.
SUMMER 2014 | 5
ISSUE 13 | ENTERPRISE
BUILDING BETTER BUSINESS Southampton Solent University is fast developing an entrepreneurial culture among its students, and creating innovative partnerships with local businesses. A series of recent successes has reinforced its reputation as a trailblazer in enterprise. SMALL BUSINESS CHARTER AWARD
SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES
The University’s Business School is celebrating after earning the Small Business Charter Award in recognition of its exceptional engagement with smallto medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and the strength of its support for student entrepreneurs.
The Small Business Charter just builds on what Solent already offers. University staff and students work on consultancy projects, providing expert advice to local SMEs. These specialist services cover a variety of sectors, including the built environment, administration, civil engineering, maritime, retail, acoustics, media production, sports science and football.
Solent joins an elite club of just 20 universities across the UK to hold this award, which brings significant benefits, as the Business School will now be able to pass on the benefits of government growth vouchers, growth accelerators and start-up loans to local businesses.
Solent University’s knowledge transfer partnerships (KTPs) help businesses improve their competitiveness and productivity through collaboration with the University and a recent Solent graduate. In addition, the University’s professional development centre allows local employers a range of training courses and workplace learning solutions for their staff.
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Solent also offers its state-of-the-art facilities for hire, from product design, yacht design and manufacturing workshops to computing and usability labs, a worldleading maritime training suite and our high-definition outside broadcast unit. The University also supports a variety of professional networks, giving students, academics and businesses the opportunity to network, share knowledge and continue professional development.
SUPPORTING STUDENT ENTREPRENEURS As well as networking opportunities, Solent’s comprehensive support for student entrepreneurs includes a range of student societies, business start-up training, mentoring and the incubator space and seed funding that new start-ups need to get off the ground.
Solent marketing graduate Tomasz Dyl is a shining example of what can be achieved; last year he was crowned Southampton Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Polish-born Tomasz currently runs two businesses, is actively involved in voluntary and community work, and was recently featured in The Guardian as an example of a successful young migrant. The University also supports students in industries where freelance careers are the norm, helping them gain professional experience through Solent Creatives, a specialised campus-based agency – which has the added bonus of providing a diverse pool of student talent to local businesses.
INNOVATION IN EMPLOYABILITY AND ENTERPRISE Key to Solent’s business engagement success is ensuring innovation gets the recognition it deserves. Now in their second year, Solent’s Employability and Enterprise Awards recognise exceptional employers,
staff, students and graduates involved in volunteering, business start-ups, work experience or placements, as well as the University’s graduate associate scheme. One of this year’s winners is film graduate Mikey Oldfield, founder of Highline Aerial Media. The company provides aerial photography and cinematographic services using an unmanned aerial drone. “It was a real honour to receive the Outstanding Graduate Start-up Business Award at the 2014 EE Awards,” says Mikey. “Although Southampton Solent University were the ones that awarded me, a lot of credit goes back to them. “Solent have been continually supporting me as a student (and now graduate) business director. The work put in by Solent Creatives has ranged from introducing me to some of my first clients to providing office space.”
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Solent have been continually supporting me as a student (and now graduate) business director. The work put in by Solent Creatives has ranged from introducing me to some of my first clients to providing office space.
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Since winning the award, Highline Aerial Media has had its footage featured on prime-time BBC One, worked with clients such as Marks & Spencer and the Royal Household, and entered discussions with global surf brand O’Neill. In Mikey’s own words: “There really are exciting times ahead, and there seem to be no limits!”
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AIRPORT WALL
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A final-year Solent photography student’s first major commission, celebrating the people and places of Southampton in its Golden Jubilee year, has been unveiled before he’s even finished his course. James Robinson’s installation wall ‘Fifty’, celebrating Southampton’s fifty years as a city, will greet passengers as they arrive at Southampton airport. “I am delighted to have been given this fantastic opportunity to capture the diversity, beauty and excitement of the city,” said James.
I am delighted to have been given this fantastic opportunity to capture the diversity, beauty and excitement of the city. 8 | SUMMER 2014
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“Undertaking this commission during the final weeks of my degree has been hard work but tremendous fun,” he added. “Hopefully it will showcase Southampton to passengers as they arrive at the airport, increase my exposure with potential clients and help me forge a successful career as a professional photographer.”
‘Fifty’ features 50 striking images of people and iconic landmarks from around the city, such as the Mayflower Theatre, St Mary’s Stadium, Tudor House and the port. International passengers and local residents returning home will see the wall of bold images, providing a warm welcome to the city. The installation was unveiled by The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Sue Blatchford, on Wednesday 11 June. The University has played a significant role in the city’s 50th anniversary, helping community and business groups get involved in celebrating Southampton.
FASHION | ISSUE 13
FASHION ON SHOW
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Solent’s innovative collaborative approach gives students the chance to work with other disciplines.
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Final-year fashion design students have launched their debut collections at an impressive catwalk show in Eastleigh as part of the ‘Enliven’ fashion design project. In total 30 new collections from BA (Hons) Fashion students were on show at The Point on Saturday 7 June, showcasing innovative womenswear, menswear and mature collections with themes as diverse as ‘Unconscious Art of Construction’, ‘Distortion and Exposure of the Female Form’ and ‘Who Am I – Christian Faith’. BA (Hons) Fashion Course Leader Kathryn Sanders says: “It’s a very exciting time of year for us, and an opportunity to demonstrate what creative fashion designers we produce at Solent. The students have worked extremely hard researching, designing and producing their unique collections of outfits.”
The event was produced in collaboration with students from across the University, from fashion promotion, PR and photography to digital music, make-up and hair design, and media production courses. This innovative approach gives students the chance to get used to working with other disciplines, forming professional working relationships that can endure into the world of work.
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Warsash life raft challenge raises ÂŁ11,500 for charity
MARITIME | ISSUE 13
ALL AT
SEA There are some causes that are worth going overboard for, according to a group of intrepid officer cadets at the University’s Warsash Maritime Academy – who recently spent 24 hours in emergency life rafts to raise much-needed funds for charity. WMA’s Cadet Liaison Officer David Baker was keen for the academy’s cadets to get involved. “This challenge is a chance to enhance their training, and a great opportunity to raise funds and awareness for those facing far longer and more difficult challenges – UK families living with cancer,” he said. Despite the hail, high winds and driving rain, not one of the participants abandoned ship, with one cadet even managing to sleep through to 6am. Thanks to their determination, the future merchant navy officers have raised over £11,500 for sailing respite charity Sail 4 Cancer.
WEATHERING THE STORM Deck Officer Cadet Georgia Atkins said: “It was probably the best and the worst 24 hours of my life, but I can say that even with force eight winds, heavy rain and hail, I would happily do this again!” Experiencing what it would be like to be cast adrift was a valuable learning opportunity for all involved. It was also a great team-building mission and David Baker is very proud of their achievement. “The difficult weather conditions made the challenge a lot harder than first expected. The stormy conditions really tested their resolve, but they pulled each other through. It was great to see the camaraderie that grew out of the experience.”
MEETING THE CHALLENGE This is the first time that a maritime academy has taken part in Sail 4 Cancer’s 24 hour life raft challenge, which raises funds to provide respite breaks for families
affected by cancer. In the end, so many cadets volunteered that an extra raft had to be found. In total 39 cadets took to the water aboard five life rafts, four of which were provided by Ocean Safety and a fifth by Clyde Marine Training. The rafts were secured to two buoys afloat in the River Hamble. “The response from the staff and cadets of the Warsash Maritime Academy has been absolutely wonderful. They have enthusiastically taken on this difficult challenge and will help us to provide muchneeded respite breaks for families who are going through a very difficult time,” said Sail 4 Cancer’s Fundraising Manager, Lizette van Niekerk. Donations can still be made via the Team Warsash Sail 4 Cancer webpage – visit www.sail4cancer.org/team-warsashliferaft-challenge-donation
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They have enthusiastically taken on this difficult challenge and will help us to provide much-needed respite breaks for families who are going through a very difficult time.
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Lizette van Niekerk, Sail 4 Cancer’s Fundraising Manager
ISSUE 13 | FILM
BIRDMAN FILM SOARS AT RTS AWARDS Two recent graduates from Southampton Solent University are celebrating after their final-year film won a coveted Royal Television Society (RTS) award. assistant since graduating, says: “The film was a labour of love, and it’s great that our work is being recognised in this way by the industry.” The ten-minute documentary tells the story of Sam’s uncles, Alan and Terry, and features an endearing combination of brotherly love and Spitfire aircraft. It follows keen pilot Alan and his brother Terry – who has been given a new lease of life after Alan donated his kidney. Sam Clarke and Matt Farrant’s short documentary Birdman impressed a jury of industry professionals at the RTS Student Television Awards 2013, claiming the prize for best undergraduate factual production. The pair were presented with their award in London on Friday 16 May, at a ceremony held at the iconic British Film Institute (BFI) Southbank. Matt, who has been working as a camera 12 | SUMMER 2014
“It was great working with my uncles on the film,” says Sam. “It was challenging to make, both technically and emotionally, but well worth it. They love the finished piece.” Commenting on the documentary, the judges said: “The film captured a simple and moving story with visual ambition.
During the making of this film the producers discovered a different story to the one they had anticipated and the panel commended their drive to follow this new path to produce a more rewarding character-driven film.” The talented duo both graduated with first-class honours in BA (Hons) TV and Video Production last year, and Birdman was their final-year project. Course Leader Stuart Ray says: “We always knew Sam and Matt had produced a really superb short documentary, and we are delighted that their hard work on the project has been recognised in this way.” For more information on Birdman, or to get in touch with Sam Clarke, email sam@sam-clarke.com
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The film was a labour of love, and it’s great that our work is being recognised in this way by the industry.
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AUTUMN 2013 | 13
ISSUE 13 | MUSICOLOGY
WITH ONE VOICE The power of music to bring people together
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Sport and music fans have been raising their voices in support of their heroes this summer. But why are some songs more successful than others in unifying crowds, boosting morale and raising the roof? After seeing the way in which music legends Queen could get their audience and fans singing along at every concert, Solent musicologist Dr Ruth Dockwray decided to research how rock anthems worked – both musically and sociologically.
ROCKING THE CROWD “Some of the best anthems come from the stadium rock era. Bands that were playing to huge audiences needed songs that would reach those fans right at the back of the arena,” says Ruth. “The best examples are Queen’s We Will Rock You and We Are the Champions, The Final Countdown by Europe, and Bon Jovi’s Living on a Prayer. “These songs in particular use the plural pronoun ‘we’, which indicates collectivity and a sense of togetherness; all have a
general descending melodic line, which means it’s easier to sing; and each syllable of the lyrics has its own note, which in simple terms means we’re not all attempting to sing long phrases in the style of Mariah Carey!”
ANCIENT ORIGINS While researching the topic, Ruth looked into the history of anthems. Most of us recognise the national anthem as a way of demonstrating patriotism, used to rouse crowds and get people feeling united through group singing – but many started off as a hymn before being appropriated by a group, and the same applies to many football anthems. Liverpool Football Club’s anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone, for example – which has become synonymous with the team and its fans – originated from the musical Carousel. And there are many instances of rock songs
being used in sporting contexts. During the 2012 London Olympics, Queen’s We Will Rock You was reportedly played around half a million times! But whatever their origins, anthems can have a huge impact. “Fans singing along at a football match or music gig encourage the players and artists to give their best performance, while those spectating enjoy the feeling of belonging to a group of people who share the same emotions and aspirations,” says Ruth.
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Some of the best anthems come from the stadium rock era.
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ISSUE 13 | COACHING
HEALTHIER FUTURES Community coaching projects to improve health and happiness in the Southampton area The University’s third annual coaching innovation symposium, held in early May, unveiled a massive range of fantastic studentdriven projects from the coaching innovation programme (CIP), designed to increase health and happiness in the local area. Working with partners from local business and the community, students from Solent’s sport coaching and development degree designed and developed various programmes aimed at improving health and wellbeing in a wide range of community groups. “This project highlights the important role that the University and its students are playing in the provision of sport and physical activity in the city,” said Kevin Harris, Senior Lecturer in Sport Development Policy and the CIP’s organiser.
HEART OF THE COMMUNITY
SHELL
To date Solent students have delivered over 70 community initiatives through the CIP, helping around 500 people a year – and the innovative coaching projects displayed at this year’s symposium seem well placed to build on the successes of previous years.
The Heart of the Community project was designed to tackle isolation among Southampton’s elderly, using physical activity as a tool to bring people together. Working in partnership with local charity Communicare, the CIP team hopes to help combat loneliness and improve participants’ physical fitness.
The sport, healthy exercise and lifestyle learning (SHELL) project aims to tackle the rising epidemic of obesity in young children through a combination of coaching and education.
Take a look at some recent CIP projects:
MOVING IN STYLE
MUMS ON THE MOVE Organised by Paris White, Milan Johnson and Lizzie Butcher, Mums on the Move is designed to promote healthy eating and increased physical activity for single mums aged 16 to 25 in Weston, one of Southampton’s most deprived neighbourhoods. “Women, especially mums, do face barriers including family commitments and money. This is why we have come up with the project, combining physical activity and childcare into one to make it easier for mums to take part in more sport,” Lizzie Butcher explained.
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Run last year, this CIP aimed to tackle the lack of physical activity among young girls in the 16–18 age range at Eastleigh College, targeting sedentary girls from non-sport courses such as beauty therapy and hairdressing. The project ran for ten weeks and involved the girls taking part in various activities such as football, rounders, Zumba, boxercise, pilates and Yoga. Tom Dickson, partner/ mentor and College Sport Maker at Eastleigh College, commended the initiative: “The students did a fantastic job of researching the needs of the participants and delivering a variety of high-quality activities.”
Solent students Mike Pestell, Dan Page, Josh Digby and Thomas Wells plan to run the CIP in partnership with a Southampton school located in an underprivileged area. Schoolbased exercise sessions will be backed up by specially developed learning packs for pupils to take home and complete. The packs will include small, fun tasks that provide both a sense of achievement and an easy way to measure pupils’ engagement with the project.
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This project highlights the important role that the University and its students are playing in the provision of sport and physical activity in the city.
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ART | ISSUE 13
SOLENT ART SUCCESSES
STREET ART EXHIBITION Street art recently came indoors for an innovative exhibition at the University’s Showcase Gallery. ‘What’s UP – a celebration of urban art’ sought to challenge the boundaries created by working within a gallery space.
Speaking before the opening, Solent Showcase’s curator Kate Maple said: “It was interesting to see how these street artists interpreted the brief. “They are used to working in all weathers with fewer restrictions, so it was a challenging experience with some thoughtprovoking pieces on display.”
Four local street artists created original work for the show, varying from an installation by Ryan Kai and a sound sculpture by Duncan Newland to stencils by Stu Rodda and drawings from Joe Ross.
SOLENT ILLUSTRATION LECTURER WINS ART PRIZE Peter Jarvis, a Senior Lecturer in illustration and design at Solent University, has won a top prize for his watercolour piece depicting the boating lake on Southampton Common. The Matt Bruce Memorial Award is presented by the prestigious Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours in recognition of ‘the most outstanding use of light and colour in a watercolour’ in its spring show. At Solent, Peter’s focus is on nurturing students’ skills and talent in illustration. He has also contributed to a number of exhibitions held at the University.
On collecting his award, Peter said: “Receiving this award through the judgement of the Royal Institute selectors is praise indeed. In recent years my watercolour paintings have taken on a greater meaning for me, and this award has fuelled my enthusiasm for creating more personal work.”
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Receiving this award through the judgement of the Royal Institute selectors is praise indeed.
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