MA Future Media student, Star, was invited to the School of Art's Night School, a monthly event that boasts exhibitions, market stalls and live performances. This is what he thought.
As a creative myself, I am constantly looking for experiences that give me a chance to immerse myself in the world of art and creativity. So, when I heard about BCU's Night School, an evening of student-led exhibitions, open studios, and live performances, open to the public, I knew that was a place I needed to be at!
I worked as a creative freelancer long before starting my Master’s degree, and there are times when I feel I’ve run out of ideas. I wanted to inspire myself with something extraordinary to spark a new perspective, and I’d heard great things about BCU’s School of Art Night School. It’s a student-led exhibition featuring a catwalk created by lecturers, an art market and open studios, and even though I’ve been on campus many times, this was my first time actually attending. It was every bit as astonishing as I had imagined.
I arrived right at the start and could immediately feel a joyful vibe that is worlds apart from the usual lecture atmosphere. The space filled up in minutes with students wearing incredible, unique outfits, and the judges were dressed just as boldly, which made the entire environment feel brilliant.
The layout is perfect because you can explore every room without ever getting lost. Every corner is an art exhibition you can see right from the entrance, and I truly loved seeing the work in the Open Studio area. Every student has a unique style, and everyone was so welcoming as they shared the deep ideas behind their creations.
One of my absolute favorite parts was the student exhibition inside one of the classrooms. They provided a chair for you to sit and watch a combination of 3D visuals and animation synced perfectly with a sound designer's work. I felt like I was being teleported directly into the art because it was so surreal and the audio blended so well with the visuals.
The highlight for me was the catwalk show, which absolutely blew my mind. I have never experienced energy like that before, especially once the DJ started the music and the students began their walk. With hundreds of people cheering and vibing together, it created a perfect moment that I will never forget. Every individual presentation was beautiful and hilarious in the best possible way, ending with a dramatic drum roll from the audience as the judges announced the winners. It was a perfect showcase of the raw creativity and skill found here.
I highly recommend BCU’s Night School if you are a creative and enthusiastic person who wants to express your ideas to the public or explore a new environment. Whether you are looking for networking or just a great night out, this event is for you, so make sure to mark your calendar for the next BCU’s Night School!