Wish You Were Here in Lewes

East Sussex College Lewes Art students showcase their work at the Star Brewery Gallery in Lewes later this month.

Wish You Were Here features work by 18 second-year Art students studying at East Sussex College Lewes. The exhibition is based on the sombre English opera, Peter Grimes, by Benjamin Britten, about a fisherman ostracised by his community, and features Set Designs; Costume Designs; Hair, Wig and Make-up Designs, and Marketing Strategies and Designs.

Wish You Were Here opens to the public on Tuesday 22 February at the Star Brewery Gallery. Entry is free and everyone is welcome! A private view by invitation only is on Sunday 27 February, 11.30am-1pm, where the best in show will be announced. The public viewing ends at 4 pm on Sunday.

Students will be invigilating the exhibition from Tuesday to Friday, talking to the public about their artwork and the opera! A chosen few will then see their exhibited work submitted to the Royal Opera Design Challenge, the prestigious annual competition, which has seen East Sussex College win awards for nine consecutive years! The College will look to emulate past success in the competition, but face competition from schools and colleges across the country. The winners will be announced in May.

In the meantime, the public is encouraged to view the exhibition at the Star Brewery Gallery to see the incredible talent of the young art students.

James DiBiase, Art & Design Course Leader at East Sussex College, says, “This exhibition is a fantastic opportunity for students to show their work to the public. They have worked so hard on these projects and I am incredibly proud of them. They will get the experience of invigilating the exhibition and be prepared to answer visitors’ questions about their work. We can’t wait!”

James talks about the Royal Opera Design Challenge, saying, “The students really responded to the brief and took on the challenge of creating artwork based on Britten’s tragic opera. It’s been a great journey for them.”

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Wish You Were Here runs Tuesday 22 February to Sunday 27 February at the Star Brewery Gallery, Star Brewery, Castle Ditch Lane, (off Fisher Street) Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1YJ. Entry is free and open to the public 10am-4 pm Monday to Saturday. A private view takes place Sunday, 11.30am-1pm, which will be attended by the Mayor of Lewes, Councillor Stephen Caitlin.

Maia Calton (poster)
Emily Goldsmith (hair, wigs, make-up)
Molly Heasman (prop)
William Chan (set)
Charlee Richards (costume)