Picture Ref: 77720-113ART students from Swindon College have been displaying their work.

The degree students from the college's school of art and design are exhibiting at the Spectrum Building in Westlea as part of their final Graduate Show.

The pieces are set to inject a new creative spirit into the town.

The show forms the final stage of the students' degree.

Forty-six of them have been taking degrees including Fine Art Practice, New Media, Graphic Design and Higher National Diplomas in Ceramics.

The show determines what classification each student will receive and each has to display three pieces of work.

Chris Fay, of Lower Stratton, is a graphic design student.

The 21-year-old has been working on practical advertising projects.

He said: "The best thing about art is the creative feeling you get and the way you can manipulate the way people think about things.

"You can tweak the way people think about objects and control how they see things."

Chris is a member of an up-and-coming band and for his project and to help them reach new heights he decided to re-brand its image.

He has produced a website to promote them and logos for merchandise, which can be sold at gigs.

He said: "The college really prepares you well for the real world.

"The graphic design course is very commercially focused and we get to make contacts with people already working in the industry."

Julie George, 44, of Highworth, decided to study ceramics after having a family.

She had previously studied English at university and for six years prior to joining the course worked as a receptionist at a doctors surgery.

Her work takes inspiration from the sea and shore. The Wave is a pottery design, which captures the movement of the rolling sea.

The mum-of-two said: "It's been hectic getting everything ready for the final show, but worth it.

"The most nerve wracking and exciting thing is when you put pieces into the kiln for firing. Until you open the kiln door two days later you never know if the piece has survived or not."

The college has given Julie the inspiration to kickstart her new career. Along with three other students, she aims to start her own ceramics company.

Chris Lawless, 31, of Greenmeadow, worked in the paint room at Honda for six years before joining the new media course.

He said: "My time has come to leave Swindon College and to go and explore a galaxy far, far away."

Chris is hoping to embark on a career in film editing. One of his projects was a road safety campaign video aimed at motorcyclists aged between 17 and 30.

He produced a TV advert and print-based advertising campaign.

David Martin, 42, from Rodbourne, has already been under the spotlight with his garden design, A Glimpse of Paradise, at the Chelsea Flower Show.

David won a silver medal for his piece, which he recreated for the show.

And Judith Thomas, from Wootton Basset, is exhibiting a conceptual piece, which explores historical objects.

Phil Dring, 58, works for the college's marketing department.

He has been thrilled to see three years of work professionally displayed.

He said: "The show adds to the cultural scene in Swindon."

The free show will run at the Spectrum Building in Westlea until Friday, June 10. It is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 8pm and Saturday, 10am to 5pm.

Lyndsay Scanlan