A INTERNATIONALLY-renowned artist from Bury has been back to his Alma Mater to attend a stunning exhibition celebrating more than 150 years of the University of Bolton’s School of the Arts.

The Commemorative Show, celebrating the achievements of graduates, staff and students of the School of Arts, opened at the Bolton Museum and Art Gallery.

Michael Brennand-Wood was among the guests which included past and present students and members of staff.

Examples of his work can be seen in major public, corporate and private collections worldwide, including the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Michael, who lived in Bury when he attended the School of Art from 1969 to 1972, praised the exhibition and said it brought back happy memories.

He said: “I was interested in art from an early age. My grandma was an industrial weaver and whenever we were at her house we spent a lot of time playing with cloth and creating things.

“Textiles has always been just another medium for me – afterwards when I went to Manchester I did embroidery, which is just drawing with three dimensional lines.

“Bolton was a fabulous place. The tutors were great and I pushed myself and learned a lot while I was there. It enthused you to be an artist.

“Art schools were important because they gave people who weren’t sure what they wanted to do a chance to find out.”

The exhibition covers a wide range of historic and current works, along with information about the university, illustrating how the School of the Arts has changed and developed over the decades in response to the changes in the town.

Sam Johnson, head of the university’s School of the Arts, said: “It is fantastic and wonderful to be in partnership with the museum and art gallery to show the amazing work that has gone on in the School of Art.”

David Gledhill, Director of Rogue Artists’ Studios in Manchester, who works closely with the University of Bolton, said the exhibition showed “just how illustrious our predecessors” were.

He added: “Art and design generates transferable skills of thinking outside the box and creativity. These core skills are crucial to the growth of any industry.

“Involvement and exposure to the arts have positive health and wellbeing effects. Culture makes life possible for people in communities. Everything we use has been designed and created.

“Think of a life without all that. No films, no TV, no Killing Eve or Bodyguard. We should think about that.”

David added: “We are going to have shout about what we do and its importance. The creative industries generate £92 billion a year for the UK economy, which is £11 million every hour.

“The sector is growing twice as fast as any other sector of the economy and accounts for one in 11 jobs today in Britain.”

Former student Graham Bennison, now 72, travelled from his home in Fife to be at the launch.

He attended the junior Art School, aged 13 years and 10 days old, from 1959-61 and then the college from 1961-64.

Graham, who lived in Smithills growing up, later worked as a headteacher. He is also well known as a member of Bolton Harriers running group.

He said: “This exhibition is fantastic and I am very pleased to see it in the Museum and Art Gallery.”

The School of Art has access to the gallery for four months of every year to show the work of students and artists.

Sam Johnson, head of the School of Arts said: “This is a fantastic partnership for us. This will be the first of many lovely exhibitions here.”

Pro Vice Chancellor of the University, Dr Kondal Reddy Kandadi, spoke to assembled guests, who numbered more than 100, and described the gallery as “wonderful”.

“Our School of Art produces quite amazing work and it is great that it has this venue as a showcase,” he said. The exhibition runs until December 31.

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