The Northern School of Art’s Class of 2025 celebrated their achievements in a series of graduation ceremonies at the historic All Saints Church in Hartlepool.

Almost 200 students attended the events at the 900-year-old Grade II listed church in Stranton, Hartlepool to mark their graduation from the wide range of the School’s creative degree and postgraduate courses.

The students and audiences of invited guests of families and friends enjoyed an inspirational keynote speech by Aardman Animations’ award-winning director Magdalena Osinska, who most recently directed Lucas Film’s ‘Star Wars: Vision’, as well as valedictory addresses by graduating students.

A guard of honour and applause from their former lecturers greeted the new graduates as they left the ceremonies in the church before reuniting with families and friends.

Throughout the day the new graduates were honoured as they progressed from the School’s Hartlepool degree-level campus stage and screen, and visual arts degrees and master’s level courses.

Degrees were awarded by the School’s animation, acting, costume interpretation with design, film, TV and theatre production, visual effects and model making, production design for stage and screen, digital design and advertising, graphic design, fine art, illustration for commercial application, photography and textiles and surface design degree programmes.

Those graduating from the School’s postgraduate MA courses in directing and theatre making, arts practice, design history and design practice also received their awards.

In his welcoming address, The Northern School of Art’s Principal and Chief Executive, Dr Martin Raby, said: “We are here to celebrate the emergence of new creative voices, the fulfilment of long-held aspirations, and the promise of a generation poised to shape the cultural landscape with vision, integrity, and imagination.”

To those receiving their awards he said: “Today is not just an end, but also a threshold – marking your passage into a world rich with potential and complexity. Take with you the knowledge that your creativity holds transformative power; the power to challenge convention, provoke meaningful discourse, and effect enduring change.

“I urge you to approach the road ahead with courage and clarity. Remain unwavering in your creative convictions, embrace challenges, and continue to expand the boundaries of what is possible.”

Tim Bailey, The Northern School of Art’s Chair of Governors, added: “I would ask you today not to lose sight of the difference your creativity can make.

“Creativity lies inside all the best, most impactful and epoch defining events in human history. Quite a big claim but imagine the time before railway or TV, the iPhone or the internet; before the songs of Lennon, the poetry of Sylvia Plath.

“Quentin Blake, Keith Haring, Barbara Hepworth, The MAGNUM Agency, Alexander McQueen, 2001: Space Odyssey, Jodie Comer in Prima Facie, Bauhaus, or Robert Harbison – imagination, invention, skill, daring and determination behind them all and their ground-breaking work, all key attributes to creativity and helping the world afterwards to see the world before differently.”

The valedictorian speeches were delivered by graduating students Ell Hockney, BA (Hons) Animation, Christy Robinson, BA (Hons) Production Design for Stage and Screen, Lucy McLellen, BA (Hons) Costume Interpretation with Design, and Lily Cockfield, MA (Design Practice).

Following each ceremony the graduates and their guests attended a drinks reception at The Northern School of Art’s Church Street campus.