24 September 2008
Well known local landmarks can now be seen under one roof at St Helier Hospital, thanks to a group of budding artists from a local college. The 12 students, whose ages range from 17 to 24, created paintings of historic local scenes whilst studying a national diploma in art and design at Carshalton College.
Landmarks include All Saints Church, Beddington Park, Charles Cryer Theatre, the Greyhound public house and Carshalton ponds. The art formed part of their coursework which they undertook before securing their places at universities and colleges.
Trust Voluntary Services Manager, Lesley Scott said: "We were delighted the pupils wanted to display their artwork in our hospital and are extremely grateful for their paintings. We decided to display these uplifting pictures in busy hospital areas, brightening up corridor areas. To date, the pictures have been well received by many members of staff and patients."
The students recently came in to the hospital to officially present their work to Trust Chief Executive, Samantha Jones. Samantha said: "The artwork is extremely impressive and has really brought the hospital corridor alive."
James Scott, one of the student artists who produced a painting of the theatre and the ponds, explained: "As a group, we wanted to depict views that all generations in Carshalton would recognise. We are all very pleased with the finished product and glad it is being displayed in a busy public area of the hospital."
Noor Mula and Lydia Couchman created a scene of Beddington Park with the water mill and a weir, whilst Katharina Prill, Samantha Smith and fellow student Anthia Castrinakis worked on a picture of Anne Boleyn's well adjacent to the ponds.
Course tutor Annette Vigurs, explained: "They all worked extremely hard and put a huge number of hours and extra days working on their pictures. I think the finished results are absolutely amazing. This is the fourth year that we have worked with the hospital and are delighted with the response that we continue to have from patients and staff alike."
Annette added: "The projects provide a really good grounding for students studying BTEC national art and design in some of the skills needed to work as a creative professional with the community. They take the students outside the college into the community and give them valuable experience of freedom and taking responsibility for creating their own work."
