Festival Recognition For DCG Student
Joseph Wright Centre has won a £500 prize from the organisers of Melbourne Festival in Derbyshire and an invitation to stage an exhibition at next year’s event.
Leanne Bailey (18) from Cromford is on the Higher Foundation study programme at JWC with her sights set on studying Fine Art at university next year.
She joined fellow students earlier this year at a workshop led by Melbourne Festival organisers Frank Hughes and Sharon Brown who invited students to enter the Festival’s Emerging Artist category on the theme of ‘chaos’.
The Festival did not go ahead in full this September although some student pieces were featured in a scaled down ‘guerilla art’ trail. Plans are however being progressed for the September 2021 Festival which will feature a solo exhibition by Leanne.
Leanne entered the competition with a dress that she had created using a wide range of materials including fabrics, melted plastic and sandpaper. She was one of 12 students to be shortlisted for the award including Wendalyn Watts who earned a commendation for her work.
Leanne said: “The workshop in Industry Week was really interesting – hearing from people who are working in the creative industries.
“I entered a mixed media piece which represents visual chaos and was over the moon to have won the award.
“It has given me so much more confidence in the value of my work and I am really looking forward to planning the exhibition for next September.”
Art & Design teacher Philip Taylor added: “We have a long association with the Melbourne Festival organisers who continue to support our Art & Design students to gain professional practice experience in the creative industries which is an essential element of the study programme.
“This is the third time in recent years that one of our students has won the Festival’s Emerging Artist category which reflects the consistently high calibre of our students’ work.”
More News From Amber Valley Info
| Picture of man released as part of investigation into burglary in Swanwick Police have released a picture of man we would like to speak with in relation to a burglary in Swanwick. read more | |
| Opticians celebrates two decades in Belper GLASSES will be raised by the team at a Belper opticians to celebrate its 20th anniversary in the town with a special event. read more | |
| Derbyshire Makes Returns April - May 2026 With Heritage And Future Making Residents will be encouraged to get creative this spring with the return of Derbyshire County Council's fla read more | |
| Shoplifter tracked down and caught by officers after targeting shop in Alfreton Officers tracked down and arrested a thief who stole a number of items from a shop in Alfreton. read more | |
| Up to £250 funding available to start a Amber Valley Neighbourhood Watch Residents across Amber Valley are being encouraged to help make their streets and communities safer, m read more | |
The Amber Valley Info Noticeboard
| Stallholder Bookings Now Open For The Tansley Big Day Out We're excited to announce that Tansley's Big Day Out 2026 will take place on 6th & 7th June 2026! read more | |
| Christmas and New Year bin collection dates Over the festive season, bin collections will operate on revised schedules. Some collections may take place up to two days earlier than u read more | |
| Launch Of WOMBLE MANIA! At the Heights of Abraham, Opened by Marcus Robertson, Son of Wombles author, Elisabeth Beresford, officially launched WOMBLE MANIA! at the Heights of Abraha read more | |
| Belper School and Sixth Form Centre Closed Today Due to a significant water leak, resulting in the water being turned off at school, we unfortunately have to close the school today. read more | |
| When you need to call 999 but can't talk When you need to call 999 but can't talk - the ‘silent solution’ can help. Press 55 on your mobile when prompted, to confirm you are in read more | |
