Seevic

Art and Design students have added a unique touch to the new Hadleigh Castle Salvation Army Restaurant and Training Centre with an enormous hand painted mural. The 8ft x 18ft mural is an abstract interpretation of the seven days of creation and will be mounted on the main wall of the restaurant.

The BTEC National Diploma students involved in the project Sam Lake, Ayesha Ramiksoon, Bryony-Lee Johnson, Charlotte Greatrex, Ellie Bond, Cadence Pearson and Danny Angel spent three weeks researching the theme, liaising with the clients and developing ideas. They spent a further two weeks working in a barn on the Salvation Army Farm finishing the final design.

Charlotte Greatrex, 16, from Stanford-le-Hope said: “It was challenging working as a team, especially at the design stage. But once we got the idea it all went really well. We are pleased with the final design as it really stands out.”

Ellie Bond, 17, from Basildon said: “The project helped us to work on a bigger and more ambitious scale, and working on site with a clients needs in mind.

“The Salvation Army wanted the theme of creation so we researched other artist’s versions of it, but we abstracted it, using exaggerated shapes and bolder colours. After leaving SEEVIC College I want to specialise in fine art sculpture at Goldsmiths University in London.”

Centre manager Shelley Carter said: “The students were a credit to the College. I am really happy with the final outcome and think that the mural looks really professional. The students worked with a great sense of pride and enthusiasm and worked brilliantly as a team.”

Art and Design Tutor Tadeus Blower said: “The aim of the project was to give the students the experience of working as freelance artists with a clients needs wholly in mind. They responded brilliantly, and very professionally. They started with a religious theme, but used sophisticated abstraction processes to produce a design that is universally appealing, very decorative and charged with meaning. I am very proud with what they have done."

Other SEEVIC College students studying the same course also produced fantastic murals, which can be seen at The Balmoral Community Centre and Hadleigh Junior School in their playground, computer suite and library.