News / UWE Bristol
Creativity meets ‘real-world’ experience at university degree show
UWE Bristol’s much-anticipated annual degree show, celebrating student creativity and innovation across the College of Arts, Technology and Environment, returns this June with vibrant offerings of emerging talent.
Running from 5 to 11 June, the event will be held across several venues, including Bower Ashton, Arnolfini, Spike Island, and Frenchay Campus.
More than 1,200 students from over 40 disciplines will exhibit their work, spanning animation, architecture, art, design, engineering, fashion, filmmaking, media, performance, photography, product design, writing, and more.
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The free exhibition offers a unique insight into the minds of the next generation of creative professionals.
Among the standout students this year is Iside Buraga, a BA (Hons) Fashion Textiles student whose final collection is inspired by her involvement with the Bristol Northern Soul Club
Elena Marco, pro vice-chancellor and head of College of Arts, Technology and Environment, shared her excitement for the upcoming event.
She said: “Each year, I’m blown away by the sheer creativity, ambition and depth of thinking shown by our students. Their work reflects not only visionary talent but also a deep engagement with the challenges and possibilities of the world around them.”
The exhibition sets itself as more than a degree show but a celebration of student achievement and of the academic staff who support, guide and inspire them throughout their studies.
Visitors can expect an uplifting and thought-provoking experience, brought to life through deeply personal and socially engaged projects.
Among the standout students this year is Iside Buraga, a BA (Hons) Fashion Textiles student whose final collection is inspired by her involvement with the Bristol Northern Soul Club.
Drawing on the energy and emotion of the subculture, her work explores the tension between external appearance and internal feeling, weaving in themes of female identity and vulnerability.
“My involvement with Northern Soul has made me consider the experiences and emotions that lead people to dress and portray themselves in a certain way,” Iside said.
“It can be extravagant or covert – sometimes obscure, much like music itself.”
A work by one of the graduates, Poppy Jessop, BA (Hons) in Photography
Also featured is Solomon Khimba, a BEng (Hons) Architecture and Environmental Engineering student. His final project envisions a dual-purpose architectural venue for St Pauls, combining circus performance with political discourse.
Inspired by his own experience of living in a van and the challenges faced by the Invisible Circus group, Solomon aims to give marginalised communities a platform for civic engagement.
“The idea is to bring people in with the entertainment of the circus, but also to foster meaningful political dialogue,” he explained.
Meanwhile, BA (Hons) Product Design student Kalli Montigue presents PupPulse – a smart harness and mobile app designed to support reactive dogs. Inspired by her sister’s experiences with a sensitive pet, the product incorporates health sensors and AI-powered analysis to track canine wellbeing.
“PupPulse could offer owners trustworthy data, a supportive community and accessible tools to better understand and manage their dog’s behaviour,” Kalli said.
This year’s showcase also features MA Architecture students recently longlisted for The Davidson Prize. Their project, Growing Places, proposes an imaginative and inclusive design concept to support community living in developments of 300 homes or more, aligning with the prize’s theme: Streets Ahead – The Race to Build 1.5M Homes.
UWE Bristol’s broadcast journalism and media production students will also play a key role through New Wave Creative Agency. They are producing a one-hour special for Ujima Radio, airing on 2 June at 1pm, which explores the lead-up to Showcase with interviews and features from across the School of Arts.
Solomon Khimba’s final project envisions a dual-purpose architectural venue for St Pauls, combining circus performance with political discourse
Members of the public are warmly invited to explore the in-person exhibitions. For those unable to attend, a digital version of Showcase will be available online, featuring curated portfolios, links to personal websites, and social media channels, all designed to support graduate employability and enterprise.
For more details, including how to attend, visit www.uwe.ac.uk/events/degree-show
All photos: UWE Bristol
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