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Clifton Suspension Bridge unveil new souvenirs made by students
Five Art Foundation students from South Gloucestershire and Stroud College are celebrating the launch of a new range of products inspired by the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Charly Sargent, Emily Terrington, Jess Langham, Kathryn Iles and Maddie Blanchard were challenged to design and develop souvenir items.
The Clifton Suspension Bridge Charitable Trust are now selling their products, raising funds to support the students’ STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) learning programme.
is needed now More than ever
The students show off their designs
“I’m speechless. The final products are amazing,” says Emily, one of the students. “I’m off to university in September but it feels like I’m leaving my mark on Bristol, which is exciting as I’ve lived here for a while.”
Over the course of their autumn term, the students went on a tour of the bridge and learnt about its history, construction and maintenance, as well as some of its social history stories.
Working with the bridge archivist at the Visitor Centre, they also viewed objects, documents and photographs relating to its history.
Working with a range of media such as etching, watercolour and digital design, the group designed bags, mugs, badges, notebooks and keyrings which have been professionally manufactured.
Student Jess Langham designed a mug inspired by the patterns on the bridge
They are now on sale from the Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre shop and student Charly says: “It’s been really interesting learning about the business side of things. The manufacturing process has been as informative as the designing stages. I’m really proud.”
Clifton’s chair of trustees, Chris Booy said: “We have been tremendously impressed by the creativity and professionalism of the students.
“They have all created artwork of a high standard and thought carefully about their products, specifying preferences for sustainable materials and price ranges that would be appealing to people of their own age. The designs that they have developed are fresh new ways of interpreting the bridge with a contemporary style.”
Emma Derbyshire of South Gloucestershire College added: “This is a real credit to the students’ artistic flair and a fantastic achievement. I am really impressed with and proud of them all.”
The full range of products is available now from the Visitor Centre.
Read More: ‘I feel like the eyes of Bristol are on me’
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