A nostalgic walk around NUA Degree Show.
A lot has changed in the eleven years since I graduated. My beloved art school is officially a university and my course is now called Graphic Communication, but there’s one thing that certainly hasn’t changed and that’s the buzz and excitement that surrounds the end of year degree show.
I fondly remember that nervous anticipation of awaiting your prints, the smell of spray mount lingering in the air, trying to find a sharp scalpel and it all coming together just in time.
The degree show is a real time of mixed emotions – on the one hand you’re so proud of your journey; what you’ve learnt, how you’ve grown, who you’ve met and what the future holds. But, on the other hand, it’s the end of such a significant chapter of your life.
Art school was where I found my identity.
As I wandered around looking at this year’s show, you could sense the hard work involved in the final exhibits. Year-on-year the work gets more polished, more professional.
The show is open to the public and I usually bring Stanley. I’ve really tried to immerse him in everything (creatively) I do and enjoy ever since he was born.
There is such a friendly vibe as you meander through the NUA campus and it’s impossible not to bump into someone you know whilst you do.
I always walk away feeling energised, excited and enthused.
The NUA Degree Show is open until Wednesday 5th July and is absolutely free to look around. There’s also an opportunity to buy selected works in ‘Unexpected Item in the Bagging Area’.
For more information visit Norwich University of the Arts. Read about the BA Fashion Graduate Fashion Week.
Words and photography by Fiona Burrage.
