2 March 2022

'The Art of Commoning' and 'Work in Progress' Exhibitions, March 2022

Art & Design students from East Sussex College Hastings are to design, make and curate two exhibitions

Art & Design students from East Sussex College Hastings are to design, make and curate two exhibitions hosted in the America Ground during March 2022.

The Level 3 Creative Practice students have been working with Hastings Commons on a Zine project exploring the historic and culturally important part of Hastings, whilst the Level 3 Art Foundation students have collaborated with the Kate MacGarry gallery, based in London, to produce a ‘Work In Progress’ exhibition.

Kate MacGarry is a contemporary art gallery based in East London where it continues to run an internationally recognised programme, exploring wide-ranging and interdisciplinary practices.

Foundation students worked with Kate to consider curatorial and display techniques for a collaboration of their work within industrial space at Claremont Garages. ‘Work In Progress’ will be a reflection of the current cohort's ambitious creative work, and how the interaction and relationship can be built with a gallery space.

Art & Design students from East Sussex College Hastings are to design, make and curate two exhibitions

'Work In Progress' exhibition, 3rd-10th March (closed Sunday) @ Claremont Garages featuring work of Foundation Students. Private View; 3rd March 5-7pm, Open Day, Saturday 5th March, Family Tours, Refreshments and Bands.

The 'Art of Commoning' Zine exhibition will be hosted on America Ground and various buildings on Hastings Commons, including Rose Cottage, the Observer Building and Eagle House. Hastings Commons is a community-led approach to transforming the unique area around the old Observer Building.

It's a collection of buildings and spaces brought from dereliction into use for homes, workspace, leisure and learning, and it's also a way of behaving. ‘The Art of Commoning’ explores students' reflections of this community and culturally important assets through various visual communication techniques.

Art & Design students from East Sussex College Hastings are to design, make and curate two exhibitions

'The Art of Commoning' exhibition, 16-19th March 10-4pm @ Claremont Garages featuring work of Level 3 Art and Design Students. Private View; 17th March 4-6pm, Open Day, Saturday 19th March, Family Tours, Refreshments and Bands.

Both exhibitions are work experience components of the Art & Design students’ course and welcome visitors to discuss and view their work during the opening hours.

Catherine Bell, Head of Curriculum for Art & Design in Hastings, said, “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Hastings Commons this spring to curate and design work for exhibitions by the Art Foundation and Level 3 Creative Practice courses at the School of Art and Design, Hastings.

“We have been fortunate enough to be working closely with graphic designer, Rachel Bright, who has brought the two institutions together through a visual communication project involving zine-making and the sharing of exhibition space at Claremont Garages. Both exhibition opportunities are key to bring the students' real-life experience in making work, curating and hosting as a collective, and importantly, engaging with our community and sharing their creative endeavours outside the College.”


Catherine added, “We really look forward to welcoming the Hastings community to the exhibitions, particularly on our private views and open Saturdays when we will be serving drinks and have live music. If you are considering studying at the College, these exhibitions will provide an opportunity to meet and talk to current students and see first-hand the creative work produced at the College.”

If you are interested in finding out more information about the Art courses on offer at East Sussex College, please visit our website here.