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Published 29 April 2009

Saturday 6 June – Thursday 11 June 2009 at Grand Parade 

This June the University of Brighton opens its doors to 15,000 visitors for the annual Burt Brill and Cardens Graduate Show 2009. Over 500 graduating students from the university are set to showcase their work at the acclaimed show, which will see the Faculty of Arts and Architecture transformed into the biggest art gallery in the south east showcasing work from a range of 25 courses, from fashion and 3D design to fine art sculpture and photography.

An annual highlight of the arts calendar for the south east, this year's graduate show will also celebrate the founding of the original School of Art 150 years ago and will be accompanied by a bumper programme of activities in the university garden including the annual sell-out Graduate Fashion Show on Saturday 6 June. There will also be the return of the Family Day on Sunday 7 June, which includes the ever popular Big Knit event, where novices and pros come together with their knitting needles.

An ideal opportunity for visitors to discover the next generation of budding artists or commission artwork, among the students exhibiting their work this year is illustration student Kyle Bean (see image to right), who recently fought off national competition to win a commission from the BBC for a viral animation campaign. His work has also recently featured in The New York Times magazine and in a nation-wide television and billboard campaign for car manufacturers, Ford.

Fashion and business studies student Catherine Gerard, who was recently named winner of the prestigious Maxmara Womenswear Design prize, will also be showcasing a stand out collection. Catherine was among just two other student designers to receive the coveted national award, which scooped her £1,000 and a fully paid internship at the MaxMara headquarters in Italy, which she begins later this year.

Among those representing the fine art discipline is Edmond Brooks-Beckman, who will exhibit a series of over 40 small, oil on canvas, paintings. Edmond recently volunteered with the university's Access to Art project, which brings together artists with severe learning difficulties and students in a higher education setting to create art.

The University of Brighton prides itself on producing some of the UK's most talented artists and designers. Past graduates include legendary Biba designer, Barbara Hulanicki and Turner Prize-winners Keith Tyson and Rachel Whiteread. Fashion graduate Julien Macdonald who was voted British Designer of the Year 2001 and Gresham Blake has become modish tailor to style-conscious stars and listed in Time Out as one of Brighton's new wave of entrepreneurs. Keren Craig has also had outstanding success as one half of fashion duo Marchesa, the British couture label and must-have brand among Hollywood celebrities.

For more information, call the University of Brighton Press Office on 01273 644756.
Ticket office 01273 644099

Notes to editors:

1. The Burt Brill and Cardens Graduate Show is FREE and takes place at University of Brighton, Faculty of Arts and Architecture, Grand Parade, Brighton BN2 0JY from Saturday 6 June – Thursday 11 June 2009. Opening times: Sat 12noon-8pm, Sun 12noon-6pm, Mon/Tue/Wed 10am-8pm, Thu 10am-4pm. Tickets not required.
2. The Fashion Show: Sat 6 June 2009 – doors 8pm, start time 8.30pm.Tickets £10. Ticket office: 01273 644099.
3. Burt Brill and Cardens solicitors has been the major sponsor of the University of Brighton Graduate Show for the last 14 years.
4. The show will feature the work of students from:
   • School of Architecture and Design: Architecture; Architectural Design; Interior Architecture; Interior Design; Architectural and Urban Studies; Fashion Design; Fashion Textiles; 3D Design; 3D Materials Practice (Wood, Metal, Ceramics and Plastics).
   • School of Arts and Communication: Critical Fine Art Practice; Digital Music; Editorial Photography; Fine Art Painting; Fine Art Printmaking; Fine Art Sculpture; Graphic Design; Illustration; Performance and Visual Art Music/Dance/Theatre.
   • School of Historical and Critical Studies: History of Decorative Arts and Crafts; History of Design, Culture and Society; Visual Culture.
5. The University of Brighton celebrates the founding of the original School of Art 150 years ago this year. Find out more about the anniversary celebrations at www.brighton.ac.uk/arts150.
6. Picture: Detail from Kyle Bean.