Students from The Northern School of Art celebrated their achievements in a series of graduation ceremonies at the historic St Hilda’s church on Hartlepool’s Headland.

The class of 2022 were graduating from The Northern School of Art’s wide range of creative degree courses in ceremonies attended by an audience of invited guests including friends and families.

As they emerged from their ceremony into the summer sunshine the new graduates were greeted by an informal guard of honour and applause from their former lecturers.

The day saw almost 200 students progressing from the School’s stage and screen and visual arts degree courses.

New graduates were honoured in acting, film, tv and theatre, costume design, VFX and model making and production design for stage and screen, digital design and advertising, graphic design, fine art, illustration, photography, textile and surface design and fashion.

Each of the ceremonies featured a keynote speech by Annabel Turpin, Chief Executive & Artistic Director of ARC in Stockton on Tees, one of the North East’s largest arts venues.

Commenting on the graduation ceremonies The Northern School of Art’s Principal and Chief Executive, Martin Raby, pictured above left with other academic colleagues ahead of one of the ceremonies, said: “On behalf of The School staff and Governors, I offer my congratulations to each graduate and wish them great success in their future endeavours.

“This is a significant occasion for us all. It is not only an important day for graduating students, but also for family members and friends who have supported them throughout their studies and, in particular, through the uncertainties that recent years have brought. The resilience you have shown since the start of your studies is commendable, and we are privileged to be celebrating with you today.”

Delighted friends and families reunited with the newly graduated students outside St Hilda’s taking every opportunity to capture the moment on their cameras.

The Northern School of Art is the only specialist art and design school in the North East and has a further education site in central Middlesbrough rated Outstanding by Ofsted in 2022, alongside its degree-level campus in Hartlepool.

Further details of the range of creative courses the School offers are available at www.northernart.ac.uk