January 2010 - Ferndown Upper School Design Competition

Ferndown Upper School Year 14 Art Prizewinners, Lauren Richard-Smith, Carly Morris and Luke Hughes with their prize winning designs. Members of the Creative Working Party Committee with Craft Superstore's Martin Moore on hand to present the prizes.

FUS Art Technician Jan Collard displaying students work in Ferndown Library with help from Past Ferndown Mayor, Lesley Dedman and Councillor John Cullen. A group of students from the Art & Design Department of Ferndown Upper School took part in a competition promoted by the Ferndown Town Council Creative Working Party that signaled the start of a drive to involve the local community in plans to brighten up the Town with a number of innovative new artwork projects, a sculpture trail, a memorial to local heroes and a garden of memories.

The prizes of 3 vouchers each for £20 were donated by Martin Moore, of Craft Superstore, an internet business for art and craft supplies based on Ferndown Industrial Estate. The aim was to design a simple new logo which will be used to bring together all the different aspects of the Art4All project. The winner overall was judged to be Lauren Richards-Smith, aged 18, who hopes to attend the University of Westminsters' fashion course once she leaves FUS, and eventually to open a bridal shop using her own designs.

Carly Morris and Luke Hughes also received prizes. Carly plans to attend Bournemouth University, and then follow a career in art teaching. Carly says ‘ The competition was really good experience and it’s so nice to have your work recognised and on show in your own town’. On presenting the Craft Superstore vouchers, MD Martin Moore commented ‘It is great to come into the art department and see how much excellent work is done at FUS.

We are proud at Craft Superstore to have been involved. ‘ Committee Chairman, Gerry Clarke thanked the students for giving up time to take part in the design competition, and of course their teacher, Brynley Elias, one of only two Community Arts Officers in the country. Brynley says ‘We are all delighted to have had this opportunity of contributing to the Working Party’s ideas for improving the Town. It is excellent experience for our students to have this community involvement.’ Cllr Lesley Dedman congratulated the students and said ‘It is wonderful to show Ferndown residents what our young people can create.

It sometimes feels we only hear about bad behaviour by our youngsters, so seeing how much work the students put into a task like this, and how pleased they are to do it for Ferndown, is really heartwarming’. Artwork will be on display in Ferndown Library throughout the month.