Students from the Northern School of Art’s class of 2026 graduated in style at a series of special ceremonies at the historic All Saint’s Church in Hartlepool.

Throughout the day over 200 students celebrated their achievements from across the wide range of creative degree and postgraduate courses provided by the School’s degree-level campus.

Students and guests gathered at the 900-year-old Grade II listed church in Stranton, Hartlepool to receive their awards before emerging as fully-fledged graduates.

As part of the event, the audience heard an inspirational keynote speech by Rebecca Ball, the North Area Director for Arts Council England, 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 rejoining their families and friends.

Throughout the day the new graduates were presented with awards from the School’s stage and screen and visual arts faculties and master’s level courses.

Degrees were awarded to those who progressing from degree courses in animation, digital design and advertising, graphic design, illustration for commercial application, fashion, fine art, model making and VFX, photography, production design, textiles, acting, costume and film and TV.

Awards were also given to students graduating from the School’s postgraduate MA courses in arts practice, design history, design practice and directing and theatre making.

As part of his welcoming address, The Northern School of Art’s Principal, Dr Martin Raby OBE, said: “Our School is a community. Each year I’m impressed by the dedication of my colleagues, but it’s the energy and involvement of our students that truly defines us.

“Today is of course an opportunity to celebrate, but also to reflect on the work that has been done and the progress that has been made. Achievements matter not only to students, but also to the wider creative community that has supported them and followed their development. We are here to acknowledge new voices, realised ambitions, and a cohort ready to contribute meaningfully to the cultural world.”

Stuart Bartholomew, The Northern School of Art’s Chair of Governors, added: “The creative industries are the third most important contributor to our national GDP, equivalent to £145 billion.  It provides employment for 2.4 million people and is growing twice as fast as the UK economy as a whole.

“The graduates here today comprise the talent pool which will sustain and develop this national success story.   Indeed, it is the significance of this new generation of creative talent to be relied upon as our population ages.”

In her address to the new graduates guest speaker Rebecca Ball, said: “The creative skills, problem solving, technical skills that you have learnt, the talent you have nurtured whilst studying here at The Northern School of Art will enrich people’s lives.

“The books, the films, the photographs, the theatre shows. The things that you will create of brilliance and beauty, will bring joy to so many people. They have the power to change the way we feel about the world, to make us happier. To make us feel more connected. To inspire us.”

A valedictorian speech was delivered at each of the ceremonies by a graduating student.

Solace Brandy Omondi, who graduated from the BA (Hons) Graphic Design degree programme, spoke at the first event and reflected on some feedback from a lecturer that she had ‘demonstrated great aplomb’ which has stayed with her.

“Aplomb means to remain confident, composed and self-assured, especially when facing difficult situations and I think that’s exactly what every graduate sitting here today deserves to hear. We all started this journey in an unfamiliar place and it’s a step that takes a lot of confidence.

“You have to be pretty composed to be in the creative field. We’ve probably all had to explain what exactly it is we do because not everyone will understand why we want to be designer, illustrators or animators. But I feel it’s just a calling that needs no words at times.”

Aimee Umpleby, who graduated with a BA (Hons) Fashion degree, told the audience at the second ceremony: “One of the greatest gifts of studying at an arts university is not just learning about our own craft but having the opportunity to collaborate with each other. It has been a privilege to have shared a creative space with such talented individuals. It’s an experience you truly won’t gain anywhere else.”

At the third ceremony Jade Osborne, graduating from the BA (Hons) Acting for Stage & Screen degree programme said: “It has been a good three years. An interesting three years. All those hours of dedication on projects and essays have finally paid off. What makes it so great is the freedom to experiment with different styles and mix with different groups of people and take all the inspiration you possibly can in this short time.”

The final ceremony saw students graduate from The Northern School of Art’s postgraduate MA courses. Georgia Bailey, who graduated from the MA in Design Practice said in her address: “The School is something unlike any other. It is a haven of unique people with a passion for the arts and a love for the world around them. In every corner, you’ll see people being their genuine selves, spreading joy and creativity through the power of their skill and imagination.

“We have been encouraged to pursue whatever projects we feel passionate about no matter its subject, this has brought out hundreds of pieces of work that represent people’s values, beliefs and strong sense of individuality. The moment I stepped through the doors in 2021, I was surrounded by people who I knew would change my life for the better.

“What makes the biggest difference is that we aren’t just numbers on a sheet of attendance, our lecturers know us, have grown with us, have helped us along the journey and have given me and my classmates some of the most memorable experiences.”

Adding: “The master’s degree was one of the most rewarding times of my life. It pushed my creativity to the limit, showed me what I was truly capable of achieving and had me in awe by end of the year at how much had been accomplished in such a short amount of time”

northernart.ac.uk