Ignite Festival Launch Plymouth College of Art 2022 7

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Networking with emerging creatives & Plymouth businesses

Creative arts students and graduates in the city of Plymouth have taken the opportunity to network with business leaders as part of Ignite
<p dir="ltr">Creative arts students and graduates in the city of Plymouth have taken the opportunity to network with business leaders as part of an innovative employability festival.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ahead of the formal launch of Plymouth’s fourth annual <a href="https://www.ignitefutures.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IGNITE Festival of Creativity</a> in the summer, students from Plymouth College of Art and University of Plymouth met representatives from a host of companies at The Box to discuss employment and collaboration opportunities for the coming year.</p> <p dir="ltr">They were joined by Hannah Harris, CEO of<a href="http://plymouthculture.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Plymouth Culture</a>,<a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/people/louise-sharland"> Louise Sharland</a>, Careers Advisor at Plymouth College of Art, and award-winning young entrepreneur and artist<a href="https://www.jennyevansartist.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Jenny Evans</a> for a series of discussions around themes such as employability, placemaking and the new creative economy – as well as what to expect from the upcoming IGNITE.<br /></p>
"Oliwia speaking at the IGNITE Festival of Creativity 2022 launch at The Box"

Oliwia Nowotnik speaking at Ignite

<p dir="ltr">Oliwia Nowotnik, a final-year <a href="https://www.plymouthart.ac.uk/courses/undefined/ba-hons-fashion-design">BA (Hons) Fashion Design</a> student from Plymouth College of Art, opened the event with a talk about her personal journey and the preparation that she’s making for life after university.</p> <p dir="ltr">Oliwia said: “I’m currently designing and making my graduate collection, which focuses on self-expression and confidence around body dysmorphia. Growing up, I wasn't confident in myself and definitely wouldn’t have had the confidence to speak in a room full of people like I am today, but studying fashion has pushed me through my fears. As I approach the end of my degree at Plymouth College of Art, I’m getting myself out there to the public as a fashion designer and founder of my own brand<a href="https://www.depop.com/wiawear/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> WIA WEAR</a>, which I can’t wait to share with you.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Representatives from <a href="https://www.barclays.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barclays</a>, <a href="https://www.plymouthbus.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plymouth Citybus</a>, <a href="https://millfieldstrust.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Millfields Trust</a>, <a href="https://www.justenoughbrave.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Just Enough Brave</a>, <a href="https://www.designbyaltitude.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Altitude</a>, <a href="https://thesamphireclub.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Samphire Club</a>, <a href="https://www.outset.org/start-up-and-grow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Outset</a>, <a href="https://realideas.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Real Ideas</a> and many more businesses and organisations attended the networking event.<br /></p>
Oliwia Nowotnik Ignite Festival Launch Plymouth College of Art 2022 16
Margarita Tsekeni Interior Designer Ignite Festival Launch Plymouth College of Art 2022 9
Ellie Griffiths Ignite Festival Launch Plymouth College of Art 2022 19
Charlotte Ellis Ignite Festival Launch Plymouth College of Art 2022 17
Peter Barker
Michael Deacon
Katharine Willis
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<p dir="ltr">Michael Deacon, a BA (Hons) Directing student at the University, said: “The launch event was a great way to connect with other students, staff and local business people, and also provided the chance to re-evaluate my goals, ideas and ambitions, through a series of motivational and education talks and elements. The launch was a springboard for some new creative ideas that I am excited to be working on now."</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">This year’s IGNITE Festival of Creativity is scheduled to take place between May 27 and 15 July. Its programme includes public degree shows across multiple city-wide venues, including galleries, studios and event space; an award-winning website for businesses to explore hundreds of graduate profiles, helping them engage and employ emerging creative talent; and a programme of talks for both businesses and graduates. <br /></p>
Peter Barker Ignite Festival Launch Plymouth College of Art 2022 5

Head of School, Design + Communication, Peter Barker, speaking at Ignite

<p dir="ltr">"What excites me, as an artist looking for an artistic future, is exhibiting with artists from different disciplines, such as fashion, architecture, or interior design,” says Scott Jenkin, BA (Hons) Media Arts. “Not only does IGNITE expand the audience exposure to my work, but it also allows me to engage with unique perspectives and practices beyond my scope.</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">"And the real privilege of attending the launch event was witnessing first-hand the value business leaders within the City place on the arts. Being able to understand the hunger within the City for more art gives me the confidence that Plymouth will continue to flourish and push the boundaries with vibrancy and enthusiasm.”<br /></p>
Ignite Festival Launch Plymouth College of Art 2022 7
<p dir="ltr">IGNITE is supported by Plymouth City Council as part of the iMayflower project, and by The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, who fund the Cultural Development Fund (administered by Arts Council England).<br /></p>