York St John University Degree Show Exhibitions open their doors to the public

From sculpture to photography, graphic design to animation: York St John University is proud to welcome friends, family and members of the public to the Art and Design Degree Show Exhibitions 2024. 

The Art Degree Show will feature sixty exhibiting artists across Fine Art, Photography and Illustration. Work will be on show across the main University campus on Lord Mayor's Walk in York, including in the striking Quad South Foyer and the award-winning Creative Centre.  

It is open daily from Thursday 30 May to Thursday 6 June, from 12.00pm to 6.00pm, and you are warmly invited to attend with no booking necessary.  

The Art Degree Show launches in style with the Reignite IV event: The Next Generation, where a VIP audience will have a chance to view the work and meet our emerging artists. The evening will also feature presentations from York St John graduates who have gone on to work for global organisations 

Reignite is an ambition and vision for the city to leverage its UNESCO Media Arts designation to attract inward investment, develop educational pathways, retain graduates, create more jobs, and quantify the economic impact of the sector on the wider economy of York. It’s supported by York St John University, Aesthetica, City of York Council, UKSPF, York BID, and Viridian FX. 

Helen Turner, Associate Head: Art, York St John University said: “This year we urge you to come and lose yourself in the fantastic creative works of our students. We’re so proud of what they’ve achieved as they’ve journeyed with us to become the artists they are today.  

“This year’s Degree Show marks the close of study whilst simultaneously opening new doors and hosting the Reignite event to launch the 2024 show is a real privilege. It offers a fantastic opportunity for our students as they step into the art world and begin their careers as the next generation of creative talent. My thanks to our partners for their vision and support with the event.” 

The following week sees the launch of York St John’s ambitious and inspirational Design Degree Show which features engaging work from over a hundred new designers across animation, games design, graphic design, interior design, and product design. The Design students strike a balance between innovative designs, artistic merit and easy practical application, seeking to solve problems and improve the world around us. The show is open daily from Monday 10 June to Wednesday 13 June, from 10.00am to 4.00pm. 

Simon Harrison, Associate Head: Design, York St John University said: “The Design Degree Show is more than an exhibition; it's a celebration of creativity, innovation, and the future of design.  

“We are proud to invite you to explore the innovative and creative talents of our graduating students from the fields of Animation, Games Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, and Product Design. This show is a culmination of 3 years of hard work, dedication, and passion, reflecting the diverse skills and imagination of our students. 

 “Our students have explored their work from social, cultural, and environmental perspectives, consistently considering how their practice can have a positive impact on people’s lives and experiences.” 

This year’s Degree Shows sit within the wider School of the Arts Festival 2024 which sees hundreds of students across subject areas showcase their work with performances, screenings, workshops and exhibitions. The Festival began with Performance Takeover events and culminates in a series of awards nights to celebrate the work of our fantastic artists.  

Helen Minors, Head of School of the Arts said: “This year’s School of the Arts Festival is a fantastic showcase of our makers, designers, creators and performers, as the Class of 2024 impress with their talent and ambition.  

“This diverse body of work represents a year where students have been developing their own individual creative voices, working with live briefs from industry and working in collaboration with each other and with visiting artists. 

“The Degree Shows are such a highlight of the Festival and I’d urge you to come to campus and immerse yourself in the creativity on show.” 

View the full Festival programme and Degree Show opening information here.