25 May 2010

Degree show proves a hit in first weekend

More than 6,000 visitors flocked to Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design to take in the 2010 Dundee Degree Show within a few days of its opening.

DJCAD, part of the University of Dundee, thronged with art lovers, local and national arts scene figures, industry professionals, and students’ friends and family over the weekend.

The show takes place throughout the two buildings and fourteen floors that comprise DJCAD, with every spare space exhibiting art and design. More than 250 students from all 11 undergraduate programmes are exhibiting their final year projects at the Show, which was officially opened by Lorraine Kelly at a special Industry Night on Thursday.

The following night saw the traditional Preview Evening for students’ family and friends take place. Close on 5,000 packed the Perth Road venue for the night, with pubs, clubs, restaurants, shops and hotels across the city receiving a huge boost as a result. It is estimated that the Degree Show generates almost £1.5million for the local economy annually.

Saturday and Sunday also saw brisk trade, with another 1,000-plus visitors taking time out from enjoying the warm weather to take in one of the highlights in the city’s cultural calendar.

Laura Simpson, Assistant Curator at DJCAD, said 'I am not surprised that this year’s show had once again proved a massive draw, with visitors from both the local area and from further afield.

'The talent and creativity of Duncan of Jordanstone students is well known, and this continues to attract thousands of people who want to come and see art and design created by some of the country’s finest emerging talent.

'As well as students’ families and friends, we know that some people travel quite a distance to visit each year because they know they are guaranteed to see some fantastic exhibits. This year, these include a radical redesign of a door-chain, a supersize popup book and a cardboard spaceship!'

'There is a great atmosphere around the city during Degree Show time, and I would urge anyone who has yet to visit to come along. I’m sure they will be impressed by a selection of work from a wide range of disciplines, and may well be tempted to buy a piece for themselves. One of the most inspiring elements of the Dundee Degree Show for me is the wealth of high quality ideas you encounter as you look through the exhibits.'

The exhibition is open to the public until Sunday, May 30th. Admission is free and the exhibition is open from 10am until 8pm (Monday - Friday) and 10am to 4pm (Saturday - Sunday).

Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design has been rated as the top art school in Scotland and in the top four in the UK according to the latest Research Assessment Exercise (RAE).

DJCAD is at the forefront of the 'V&A at Dundee' project that will create a statement building on Dundee’s newly developing waterfront. This will house contemporary collections from the world-famous Victoria & Albert Museum alongside other major exhibitions, as well as showcasing design practice and research.

This £47million project is expected to create around 900 jobs locally, bring thousands of visitors to Dundee each year, and transform the city’s waterfront.

Notes to editors:

Dundee Degree Show
22nd - 30th May 2010 (Preview May 21st)
Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design
University of Dundee
13 Perth Road
Dundee DD1 4HT
T 01382 385330
E exhibitions@dundee.ac.uk
www.dundee.ac.uk/djcad/degreeshow/

Exhibition open:
Saturday, May 22nd (10am-4pm)
Sunday, May 23rd (10am-4pm)
Monday, May 24th (10am-8pm)
Tuesday, May 25th (10am-8pm)
Wednesday, May 26th (10am-8pm)
Thursday, May 27th (10am-8pm)
Friday, May 28th (10am-8pm)
Saturday, May 29nd (10am-4pm)
Sunday, May 30th (10am-4pm)

Graduate work on display:
Animation
Art, Philosophy & Contemporary Practices
Fine Art
Graphic Design
Illustration
Interior Environmental Design
Interactive Media Design
Jewellery & Metal Design
Product Design
Textile Design
Time Based Art & Digital Film

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277