Local students get creative at Bovey Tracey Craft Festival

Year 12 students from South Dartmoor Community College and Atrium Studio School, part of South Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust, rubbed shoulders with professional artists and crafts people during the weekend of the prestigious Craft Festival held in Bovey Tracey.

Year 12 students from the Art & Design department worked with professional screen printer, Phil Summerscale, during a project which challenged them to run their own commercial stand selling their T-shirt designs. Students also hosted workshops for children interested in learning more about the screen-printing process, including the skill of silk screen printing using professional methods. This was kindly supported by the Helen Foundation, a local charity that provides prizes in schools, subsidised arts-based workshops and bursaries. 

Students aged 14 to 18 from South Dartmoor Community College also launched a new brand, Acrylic Skateboards, at the festival. The dynamic and creative team of young people with a passion for design and skateboarding are determined to set up their own brand and launched with printed T-shirts and stickers at the festival. The team are also applying for funding via the Arts Council England to expand the brand and intend to widen their merchandise lines and have begun plans for a local exhibition to celebrate their design work displayed on skateboards.

Ben Mukherjee, subject lead for art at South Dartmoor Community College said:

“We are so proud of the creativity and hard work of our students involved with the Craft Festival. It was a brilliant opportunity for them to work together and develop key skills when engaging with the local community and selling their merchandise. It was a huge success and happy customers were able to take away T-shirts with their own designs printed. There was an atmosphere of industry and wonder, and despite the rain, it certainly did not dampen anyone’s spirit!”

All profits from the event will be used to support the South Dartmoor Community College sixth form art curriculum and environment. The Acrylic Skateboards team plans to use their profits to help their brand grow. The group are keen to make links with local community and business groups. If you would like to find out more about Acrylic please contact: acrylicskateboards@southdartmoor.devon.sch.uk