Tameside students showcase artwork inspired by Portland Basin Museum

Students from Clarendon Sixth Form College in Ashton have produced artworks inspired by Portland Basin Museum and its collections, which will be displayed in the museum.

The ‘Inspired By…’ exhibition opens on Saturday 31 January, with the creations installed throughout the museum alongside the displays they have been inspired by.

BTEC and A-Level art students have put together a wide range of artistic responses in a variety of media, from painting and photography to poetry and 3D models. Ideas were generated from the attraction’s social and industrial history collections.

Students have been inspired by the museum’s 1920s street with its various room sets including the chip shop, pawnbrokers, and pub. Creations have also been informed by learning about the harsh working conditions of the industrial revolution and life on canal boats.

Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Lifelong Learning and Culture Councillor Leanne Feeley said: “It’s so lovely to see that the incredible Portland Basin collections are being celebrated in such an exciting way, thanks to the talent and creativity of our young people.

“The exhibition is going to be a real treat for local residents and a chance to explore the heritage site in a new way. What a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the connection between our history and the next generation.

“I encourage everyone to come along and experience these vibrant new perspectives on our shared past.”

Find more information on visiting Portland Basin Museum, in Ashton-under-Lyne, here: www.tameside.gov.uk/portlandbasin.