YORK College A-level art and design students are to hold two exhibitions in the city centre over the February half-term.

Student photography work will be on display at Café 68, Gillygate, from February 13 to 28; fine art and textiles at Blossom Street Gallery, Blossom Street, from February 13 to 24.

Art and design tutor Jennifer Eden has helped to coordinate the event. “After a very successful A-level show last summer, it was clear that our students have been creating really exceptional work. In some cases, the work is already evident of degree-level work. Students’ ideas and the presentation of their conceptual investigations are worth a higher level of exposure than we have had before.”

Work on show will cover a wide range of the platforms available to the students, such as screen printing, latex, 2D and 3D work, photography, sculptures in plaster and ceramics and textiles.

Becky Hodgkinson, formerly of Tadcaster Grammar School, is creating a piece that will represent Negative Space. “This unit is very interesting as I haven’t created a sculpture before,” she says. “The tutors have been great and it doesn’t matter that I haven’t worked in this field as I can easily find a tutor who specialises in the area.

“They are very willing to help me overcome any difficulties.”

Olivia Clarke, a former St Peter’s School pupil, is contrasting fine art with textiles in her artwork at York College. “It is not the traditional way, but the great facilities and the knowledge the tutors have allow me to bridge gaps between the art platforms,” she says.

Victoria Colquhoun-Postill moved on from Easingwold School to York College, drawn by the facilities the college could offer her. “This whole project has been about pushing myself and stretching my limits,” she says. “It’s a great opportunity to be able to get the public’s views and opinions. If someone likes my work and would like to display it in their home, I feel proud. I wouldn’t have been able to have these opportunities at sixth form.”