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Creative Individuals gather for entertainment and networking

Thursday 23 October 2008

The UEL Alumni Network is please to announce the successful first event for students, alumni and industry professionals involved or working in the creative arts industries.

Over 100 students, staff and graduates from a variety of disciplines and fields gathered at the Arts Pavilion in Mile End Park last month to network, socialise and hear from experts working in the industry.

The stunning backdrop to the event was the art exhibition ‘The Great Purpose’ – curated by UEL graduate Sian Harris (2008 MA Fine Art).  The exhibition, explores the idea, through the art works, of landscape art playing a pivotal role in our sense of identity and belonging.

The purpose of the evening was to give UEL students and graduates an opportunity to hear about career development in the creative industries, socialise and network with industry professionals, alumni and fellow students.

The evening began with a lively and unusual performance/speech by Richard Wilson RA and Faisal Abdu’Allah (both lecturers within the School of Architecture and the Visual Arts).  Faisal sat Richard down for a barbering session where he proceeded to cut Richard’s hair while Richard spoke about his recent artistic endeavours and answered questions from the audience.  Following on from this performance, the audience heard from Mark Hunter, Senior Lecturer for Community Arts Practice in the School of Social Sciences, Media and Cultural Studies, and Andrew Blake – Associate Dean of the School.  Andrew addresses the achievements within the School and stressed the importance of the Alumni Network for our students and graduates.  The speeches ended with Karen Raney (UEL lecturer and alumnus) who edits the successful arts journal Engage.

Participants then had the rest of the evening to enjoy refreshments, and the exhibition while meeting new faces, staff members and fellow practioners or professionals.

The Alumni Network also launched the Creative Arts Industries website (www.uel.ac.uk/alumni/groups/creativearts).  The website is there for all our graduates and students to use to promote their work, exhibition, projects etc.  It is portal for a variety of arts related projects.

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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