White Gallery has first Pick

University Centre Doncaster Criminal Justice students Aniel Singh and Mathew Winter, both 21 and from Doncaster, admire the artwork at the new White Gallery in Old Hall, High Melton.

The White Gallery has opened its doors for the first time to students and the public with an exhibition by local artist Madeline Pick.

The newly refurbished gallery is situated in the historic Old Hall at University Centre Doncaster’s High Melton Campus.

The exhibition is by Madeline Pick, who graduated from the University Centre Doncaster’s BA Fine Art & Crafts course in 2011; She is a resident of High Melton. The exhibition entitled “The Long Way” refers to the unconventional journey she took to becoming an artist. After pursuing a career as a Primary School Teacher in which she worked in schools around the country she achieved her lifelong ambition in 2007 when she enrolled on the Adult Access Art Course at Doncaster College, aged 54.

Madeline continued her studies by enrolling on the BA Fine Art and Crafts degree programme at University Centre Doncaster. The course enabled her to develop her interest in ‘Place’ and the different kinds of memories associated with them. She produced two substantial bodies of work based on contrasting places – Sheffield’s Park Hill Flats and Doncaster’s Brodsworth Hall.

Madeline’s most recent work explores the precarious position of “Church View” one of Doncaster’s historically significant and iconic buildings. A summer ‘pop-up’ studio organised by the New Fringe and the building’s owner ‘Doncaster Central Development Trust’ inspired a series of work based on its past history as an Art College. Madeline’s technique combines layers of found materials and painterly textures to depict scenes such as the much-loved “drawing room” in which Madeline herself was taught life drawing.

‘A Long Way’ is the first exhibition to celebrate the dedication and talent of Doncaster’s University Centre’s Alumni. Madeline’s journey may not be the most conventional but it represents a triumph of persistence and talent.

The gallery will showcase the creative work of University Centre Doncaster and Doncaster College’s students and alumni as well as the work of Lecturers and their associates. It will exhibit work from a variety of disciplines including painting, photography, graphic design and sculpture.

Madeline said, "The Access and Degree Courses have given me the understanding and depth of knowledge that I need to begin my career as an Artist."

Madeline’s exhibition runs to the 25th January next year and is open 10am until 4pm on weekdays.

A College spokesperson said, "The White Gallery is the culmination of three years’ work by staff at all levels throughout the College, students, lecturers, managers and the college executive have pulled together to create a space that will reflect the diversity and quality of work that we create here and also bring high level professional exhibitions for the students to learn from and for everyone to enjoy."