Wolverhampton students with SEND to showcase artwork at city exhibition
The ‘I am who I am’ exhibition will feature artwork inspired by students’ recent work experience placements.
Students with special educational needs and disabilities from City of Wolverhampton College are preparing to showcase their creative work at a public exhibition.
The ‘I am who I am’ exhibition will take place at the Mander Centre Community Hub on Monday, 18 May.
It will feature artwork created by students from the college’s futures foundation learning programme, with pieces inspired by their recent work experience placements.
The exhibition will include both individual and collaborative artwork, as well as students’ personal interpretations of the styles of classic artists.
Visitors will be able to view the work between 12pm and 2pm.
They will also have the chance to speak to students about their projects and find out how their experiences in the workplace helped shape the artwork on display.
Videos showing the students at work in the local community will also be shown during the exhibition.
Student Kyle Smith, 21, said the work experience placements had helped him develop new skills and build confidence.
He said: “I have learnt so many new skills by going out on work placements and the experiences helped me grow and believe in myself more.
“And creating my artwork has helped me to express my feelings and emotions in a way that I sometimes can’t put into words.”
Ricki Sidhu, tutor on the futures programme, said the placements had made a noticeable difference to students’ confidence and communication.
He said: “During placements, the students’ confidence and communication skills improved noticeably and they are looking forward to talking to visitors about how their experiences inspired their artwork.”
The futures foundation learning programme supports students with special educational needs and disabilities, known as SEND, or those with an Education, Health and Care Plan, known as an EHCP.
The course is designed to help students develop the skills, independence and confidence they need to move on to a college course, employment or independent living.
More information about the programme is available at www.wolvcoll.ac.uk/school-leavers .