Students from our Nurture and Learning for Life programmes have created a vibrant collection of multimedia artworks for a special competition and exhibition celebrating the theme All About Me.
A Nurture space was transformed into a gallery for the occasion, complete with music from the children’s art programme Take Hart. It offered students and staff a wonderful sneak peek before the exhibition moves to The Hive in Shrewsbury.
The exhibition showcases how students have used resources that are personal to them, represent their likes and interests, or highlights their individual skills. Students have used a range of adaptive technology to help them make creative choices and bring their ideas to life. Amy Smith from The Hive had the near-impossible task of choosing the winners. And they were …
First place: Eva, Baked in Love
First place went to Eva for Baked in Love, a joyful artwork created using wax crayons and glue. Eva chose the colours herself and directed the piece through her own unique methods of communication. Eva expressed her choices through vocalisations, facial expressions and clear responses, with broad smiles showing when she was happy with the composition. The cakes and baking imagery reflects her love of spending time with family and friends, and the joy she finds in baking for others.
Joint second place: Timothy, Strumming Through My Fingers All The Time
Timothy’s expressive piece was inspired by his love of music and the guitar. He applied paint to elastic bands and ‘strummed’ them to make marks across the canvas, enjoying the sounds, vibrations and patterns created by the process.
Joint second place: George, Tiger
George crafted a papier-mâché tiger, celebrating his favourite animal through colour, texture and three-dimensional design. He built the tiger’s head around a balloon, using reference images to shape and paint the distinctive markings. He finished the piece with felt ears, adding a tactile detail to an artwork full of character.
Third place: Lydia, And This Is Me
Lydia’s collaborative artwork reflecting her enjoyment of social interaction and physical connection. She applied paint with her hands, then clapped hands with others to create drips, marks and movement across the canvas. The colours reflect different moods, with yellow symbolising the excitement she experiences when connecting with others.
Judge Amy said: “They’re all unique and use a great range of innovative techniques that truly express each individual’s personality.”
Head of Nurture Provision Bev Symonds said: “Thank you to Amy and to The Hive for judging and exhibiting our students’ work. It was such a difficult job to choose the winners, and I’m glad it wasn’t my decision! The exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the creativity, individuality and communication skills of our students. We hope lots of people will drop in at The Hive over the summer to see the art for themselves..”
Derwen College’s Nurture and Learning for Life All About Me exhibition will be on display at The Hive in Shrewsbury until the end of August 2026.
