Showroom with a difference

Showroom with a difference

UCOL students and graduates now have a place to show their wares to members of the public.

In a first for Palmerston North, UCOL is opening a showroom and exhibition area in the Square Edge Creative Centre.

The showroom opens next week, with an exhibition of furniture and photographs produced by UCOL students and graduates. Members of the public are invited to join students, UCOL staff and others at the opening at 4.30 pm on Monday 4 February.

Organiser Rachael Penman says next week’s opening is just the beginning. “We are starting with a display of furniture and photographs and as the year progresses we will add more items. It’s a great opportunity for our students to put their work out, in a real world setting and perhaps earn some extra money from sales.”

Construction Programme Leader Danny Reilly says it will also provide an important outlet for many gifted graduates who are designing and making high quality furniture but may be struggling to break into the market.

“We want to support them in earning a living from fine furniture making, after supporting them in their study. It’s part of our responsibility as educators to help them with the next step,” he says, adding that only furniture of excellence will be selected to go on display and sale at the showroom.

“It’s also a convenient way for the community to keep up to date with the innovative work being done by students – and to buy a special item that they won’t find anywhere else.”

The first showing will include 15 photographs by students who won silver medals at last year’s New Zealand Institute of Professional Photographers Annual Awards.

Square Edge Building Manager Carol Leckie is excited about the UCOL showroom and says it will be an excellent addition to the activities at the new Square Edge which was refurbished last year.

“We’re delighted that work by UCOL students will be on show at the centre – and we’re already getting great feedback. The furniture we’ve seen is wonderful – people can’t believe the quality, detail and finish that the students have achieved.”

The showroom will be launched at Square Edge next Monday from 4.30pm to 6pm.

ENDS

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