From Art Classroom to the Hancock Gallery

LAST WEEK, THE HANCOCK GALLERY PROUDLY OPENED ITS DOORS TO PRESENT NEW HORIZONS, A CAPTIVATING EXHIBITION SHOWCASING THE EXCEPTIONAL ARTISTIC TALENTS OF YEAR 13 FINE ART STUDENTS FROM THE ROYAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL, NEWCASTLE.

The event, held in the heart of Jesmond, was a resounding success - drawing in RGS families, staff, patrons and members of the regional art community for a vibrant celebration of the creativity, imagination, and technical excellence demonstrated by emerging artists.  

From kinetic sculpture to expressive portraiture and experimental musical installations, the exhibition reflected the breadth and depth of artistic exploration taking place within the RGS Art Department.  

Visitors were captivated by the emotional intelligence and technical skill on display, with many commenting on the maturity and originality of the students’ work. 

Mr Mason, Head of Art at RGS Newcastle, said: "New Horizons was a powerful reminder of what young people can achieve when given the chance to express themselves. The exhibition gave our students a platform to share their creativity, and the response from the RGS community was truly heartening." 

"Thank you to everyone who came along, asked questions, offered encouragement and shared your passion for art - it meant the world to our students. This exhibition was a memorable experience for our students whose work was shown alongside big names within the commercial art sector including BANKSY and Salvador Dali." 

"We’re incredibly grateful to Hancock Gallery for making this experience possible. We hope it marks the beginning of a lasting partnership to support and celebrate emerging creative talent." 

The exhibition also highlighted the strength of local partnerships, with Hancock Gallery Manager Chris Morgan praising the collaboration: “The exhibition also highlighted the strength of local partnerships, with Hancock Gallery Manager Chris Morgan praising the collaboration: "We were thrilled to invite such a talented group of young artists to exhibit in our gallery. Their insight and creativity has been genuinely inspiring.” 

The Artists Behind the Work 

Among the exhibition's standout works was Sam P’s kinetic sculpture, a striking piece that blends engineering with artistic illusion. Inspired by his long-standing passion for cycling, his art explores motion, memory and the mechanics of perception.  

“I have always ridden bikes, and that is what inspired me to explore movement within my art," Sam explained. Reflecting on the exhibition, he said: "It is difficult to put into words the sense of pride we all feel having been given the opportunity to present our work at the Hancock Gallery.  

"Presenting our work in a gallery has added a unique dimension to our creative journey. It was invaluable to have the opportunity for the general public to view, experience and share their perspectives of our work." 

The exhibition also included conceptual pieces that experiment with jewellery making, and performance, reflecting the diverse practices taught at RGS and the school’s focus on critical thinking through art.  

“We try to challenge our students to ask questions - about society, about themselves, about the world they’re inheriting,” noted Mrs Egan-Fowler, Teacher of Art. Reflecting on the exhibition she added: “This project gave our students the opportunity to get involved in all aspects of creating a professional exhibition from selecting and displaying their art to sharing their inspiration and creative process with visitors.  
 
“Form three whole days, the gallery became their space; a place for exchange, discussion and aspiration, it was an unforgettable learning experience.” 

As we continue our 500th anniversary celebrations, the NEW HORIZONS exhibition stands as a proud reflection of our commitment to nurturing both academic and artistic excellence.