Richmond College students in public show at Orleans House

Richmond upon Thames College students took centre stage at Orleans House Gallery in Twickenham on June 12, presenting a showcase filled with creative energy and fresh ideas across multiple art forms.

The event featured work from students in art, dance, music, and theatre, and was supported by deputy mayor of Richmond councillor Matthew Wherry, college principal Gavin Hughes, and vice principal Kai Barnes.

Inside the showcase (Image: Rob Addis)

An exhibition of visual art by Level 3 students set the scene, accompanied by live music, dance, and work from media students. In the gallery’s Grade II listed Octagon Room, students gave a new student adaptation of The Importance of Being Earnest.

The showcase doubled as the launch of the Visionaries and Imagination exhibition, which will run at the gallery until July 12.

Jo Terrell, head of school for creative arts at Richmond upon Thames College, said: "Back in 2021, the very first group to exhibit consisted of around 12 students. Five years on, it’s fantastic to see how far we’ve come, now taking over the gallery and presenting the scale, ambition, and quality of student work on display today.

"None of this would be possible without the commitment, creativity and resilience of our students. They should all be immensely proud of what they have achieved, well done."

The event was supported by industry partners who supplied sets, costumes and props, including International Dance Supplies, Hampton Hill Theatre, Uxbridge College, and Hounslow Arts Centre.

Construction students also contributed by helping to build the sets used during the event.

O’shai Linton, an acting student, said: "During the Orleans House event, I was thrilled to see all the students from the creative industries within the college showcasing their amazing work. It was great to see what everyone has been working on this year and the vibe was amazing. I really enjoyed myself."

Following a 2023 merger, HRUC (Harrow, Richmond and Uxbridge Colleges) has become a major educational group in west and south London, serving nearly 15,000 learners.