TV personality James May is helping to promote the talents of Creative Arts students at Wiltshire College & University Centre by showcasing their work at his pub near Salisbury.
May currently presents The Grand Tour on Amazon Prime alongside Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, having previously hosted hit BBC show Top Gear with the duo for 12 years.
The journalist and author has a home in the area and bought half of The Royal Oak pub and hotel in Swallowcliffe last year.
May is a keen admirer of art himself and has agreed to display work produced by art students from the College’s Salisbury campus around The Royal Oak over the summer.
James May said: “A pub makes an excellent gallery and encourages an open and relaxed frame of mind for contemplating art.
“A lot of celebrated artists – Van Gogh and Ruskin Spear spring to mind – ended up spending far too much time in pubs; it’s more constructive that these promising young people should start their careers in one.”
Chris Bryett, Landlord of the Royal Oak, added: “As a former young art student myself, it is an absolute pleasure and honour to be able to house this particular set of students’ artwork in our business. It is obvious to see that every piece not only exudes skill, dedication and passion but each one is embedded in a story.”
The first pieces of artwork were hung up on the walls at The Royal Oak earlier this month and students will have their creations displayed on a rotational basis over a period of three months.
Corrina Cooper, Deputy Head of Creative Arts at the College, said: “It's beautiful to see the exhibition come together, with high quality student artwork selected from across the year and representing all art levels at Salisbury, from Level 1 in Art, Design & Media all the way to our Foundation Diploma in Art & Design.
“The works are being showcased for the months and are a testament to the creative talent we have in Wiltshire.”
For more information on Wiltshire College & University Centre or to enrol on a Creative Arts click here.
