Glasgow School of Art Highland Campus Summer Show on Altyre Estate to feature collaborations between students and local organisations

STUDENTS based on the Altyre Estate partnered with local organisations are displaying their work in an exhibition this week.

The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) Highland Campus Summer Show on Friday, June 16 from 5.30-8.30pm will showcase collaborations with Moray businesses and charities including Moray Waste Busters, SurfABLE Scotland and Forres Heritage Trust.

A GSA spokesperson explained: "We’ll have the work of around 100 student on display - they are group projects so there will be around 19 exhibits all together."

GSA have a long term collaboration with Moray Waste Busters. Students work with staff and customers to build on the success they already have in in diverting waste and supporting the local community. This year, students looked at how to enhance the customer experience at the charity's Waterford site and some of their interventions have already been implemented. Simple steps like redesigning the drop-off area for re-use goods impact the user journey, increasing the likelihood that people engage with the service, reducing items sent to landfill.

Students also worked closely with SurfABLE Scotland this year to think about increasing the impact of their work to provide accessible surf therapy and adventure to everyone. The team co-designed interventions, looking at practical challenges like getting equipment on the beach, but also enhanced service design by creating new learning tools to help plan and record individual goals and achievements.

In their recent exhibition, Forres Heritage Trust featured the work of GSA students Suraj and Shashank who investigated the history of the Royal Hotel, where they live in student accommodation. The trust were delighted with the timeline poster the students produced, highlighting key moments in the development of the hotel, including when the Beatles stayed and absconded.

Forres Academy and Lossiemouth High School pupils will engage in workshops in the morning, to experience tools and techniques that influence the work the GSA students do, highlighting how creative subjects at school are a vital building block for the innovation needed for future careers.

The GSA spokesperson said: "The Summer Show is more than just an exhibition. It's a platform for our students to showcase their skills and passion. It also provides a glimpse into the exciting career paths students can follow.

"The event showcases the rich learning experiences offered at our innovation school, and celebrates the outstanding research undertaken at the Highland Campus, including an extensive portfolio from the Digital Health and Care Innovation Centre.

"We invite business leaders, community organisations and local residents to come along and see our student work and academic research. We would particularly like to encourage teachers, pupils and parents to attend, as the event will provide a glimpse into the broad range of employment opportunities opened up by creative education."

Entry is free. See https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gsa-highland-campus-summer-show-tickets-638675073337 for details.