Over 1,000 guests attended the opening night of this year’s Summer Show at The Northern School of Art’s Middlesbrough campus.

Friends, families and supporters of the School were welcomed to the Newport Road campus for the official launch of the showcase of work by the final-year creative students.

The event celebrates the talents of this year’s leavers from the wide range of creative disciplines at the Ofsted Outstanding institution and marks an important milestone as they progress on to higher education or start a career in the creative industries.

An impressive range of work is on show for the Summer Show which runs until June 18th 2025.

Visitors enjoyed displays ranging over three floors from the UAL Diploma programmes including Fashion, Photography, Fine Art, Art & Design, Graphic & Digital Design, Illustration & Animation, Textiles & Surface Design, Costume Design, Film & TV production, and Interiors, Architecture & Production Design.

Projects from the School’s A Level, Foundation Diploma and Access to Higher Education courses are also on show and an area is dedicated to highlighting the School’s youngest students on the weekly term time Saturday Club courses.

Submissions from the finalists of the 2025 Foundation Art Prize are on display in the Atrium.

Ahead of the show opening a special awards ceremony was held to recognise outstanding academic and creative achievements. Certificates and prizes were presented by Dr Martin Raby, Principal of The Northern School of Art, alongside the School’s Chair of Governors Tim Bailey.

Dr Raby commented: “This event not only celebrates the remarkable talent of our students but also reflects the dedication, creativity and ambition that The Northern School of Art is proud to foster. We are delighted to share their achievements with the wider community and look forward to seeing the impact they will make in the creative sector.”

Award winners

• Principal’s Award: Winner: Chris Hunter, Access to HE

The Principal’s Award is given to the student who has made the most progress at The Northern School of Art. It is for the student who has travelled the furthest distance in their creative/educational journey.

• Governors’ Award: Winner: Niamh O’Grady, UAL Extended Diploma in Graphic Design

The Governors’ Award is given to the student who has the most impressive work and whose work is regarded as being the ‘Best in Show’.

• Photography Awards

These two awards are in memory of much-loved photography colleagues and are awarded to learners that show the outstanding qualities that our colleagues held dear.

Tim Leah-Adams Award – Technical Excellence in Photography: Winner: Matthew Boal

Jan Secker Award for Passion and Productivity in Photography – Award: Winner: Lily Farrell-Frost

• The Library Award: Winner: Charlie Campbell, UAL Extended Diploma in 3D Design

Established through the generosity of a former governor, the Library Award recognises a student who has made exceptional use of the Library in support of their studies. The recipient receives a £75 cash prize in recognition of their commitment to independent learning.

• The Harry Lorraine Award by the Cleveland Art Society: Winner: Lucy Farrow

The Harry Lorraine Award comes from the School’s partners at the Cleveland Art Society, established over twenty years ago, and honours exceptional talent across Fine Art and Art & Design courses.

The Summer Show is now open to the public with spaces to view the show available to book between 13 – 19 June. Free tickets can be reserved HERE

Tours of both events are being offered to schools and colleges. For details contact studentrecruitment@northernart.ac.uk

On Saturday 14 June an open day for future students is also taking place from 10am – 1pm. Young creatives will have the opportunity to tour the campus, speak to staff and view the final year exhibition. To book click HERE

Further information about the range of college level creative courses on offer at The Northern School of Art’s Middlesbrough campus is HERE