Culinary creativity from students in the kitchen will be matched by new and exciting artwork from students in the dining area this Christmas, with the launch of ‘Gallery at the Gallery’ at Forth Valley College’s Stirling Campus training restaurant.
A collaboration between the College’s Creative Industries and Hospitality subject areas and the Communications and Marketing Department, has opened up an opportunity for art, photography and graphic design students to display their work in the Gallery Restaurant area for the benefit of Christmas lunch customers, and offering their work for sale as unique Christmas presents.
To begin with the exhibition of photographs, drawings, graphic designs and paintings will be based in the Kildean Suite, which hosts hundreds of festive revellers eager to sample the delights of the Gallery’s Christmas menu, which has grown in popularity year on year.
Diners seated there will be able to view and review the artwork display from their tables, but those seated in the actual Gallery Restaurant will also be encouraged to take in the exhibition during their Christmas lunch experience, should they wish to.
It is hoped that the initiative will enhance even further the innovative dining experience at the Gallery Training Restaurant, and it will continue in the new year as the restaurant returns to normal service.
Linda Paterson, FVC Curriculum Manager in Department of Creative, Leisure and Digital Skills (pictured far right), said: “This is a great opportunity for our students to exhibit their work in a different setting and we are delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with Hospitality to make this happen. The work is from a variety of levels of student and includes photography, textiles, printmaking and drawing.”
Karyn King, Operations Manager in the same Department covering Hospitality, said: “We are delighted to work with the Art and Design Students on this project and this is another excellent example of the collaborative work we do at FVC. The Gallery is the perfect location to show the fantastic work of our students.”
Iain Calder, FVC’s Hospitality Business Development Manager (pictured far left), said: “This is a very exciting new collaboration between Creative Industries and us. We are looking forward to introducing our restaurant’s patrons to the art that students create.”
Kirsten Henderson (21) from Carluke (pictured centre) who is studying for a BA Art and Design is displaying some of her mix medium themed work, said: “It’s a really good idea to set up this exhibition and I am looking forward to it. It allows students to get their work out there.”
Cailey Devine (18) from Braehead, Stirling who is on the HND Photography course (pictured second left), said: “The Galley at the Gallery allows students to show their work in a place it otherwise would not be seen. All it takes is for someone to see it and it could open doors for you.”
Liz Moffat (68) from Menstrie (pictured second right) is studying for a BA Art and Design and is exhibiting two pieces under the theme ‘What We Become’ using textiles that have been donated to her. She said: “The exhibition lets people who come to the Gallery Restaurant see what we are learning and achieving, and how we are putting that into our artwork. It isn’t often that students get to exhibit and it is good that the public will get to see our work.”
Rosie Nicolson (23) from Stirling, is also on the BA Art and Design and is also showing off her work at the exhibition. She said: “I had a piece with a food theme and I thought it would be ideal to show at the Gallery at the Gallery. I always like eating at restaurants which have artwork on the walls. This is a good idea as it means you can take in some nice artwork if you want and also have a nice meal.”
Luca Brydie (18) from Strathyre, is on the Portfolio Preparation course and was also delighted to put forward a piece of work for the show. He said: “I think this is a cool exhibition and I would recommend other Creative Industries students to get involved in things like this.”
To find out more about the Gallery at the Gallery visit https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/the-place/gallery-the-gallery/ or to find out more about the restaurant visit https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/the-place/gallery-restaurant/