11 Jun 2025
The packed-out opening reception of Firm Foundations: St Albans School of Art exhibition at St Albans Museum + Gallery was attended by local dignitaries, councillors and the new Mayor of St Albans, Cllr Teresa Heritage.
Exhibiting artists, including Turner Prize nominee Simon Patterson, Jo Stockham, Jonathan McCree, Diane Maclean and many more, were also in attendance.
Curated by UH Arts + Culture, the exhibition celebrates the 150th anniversary of the school and offers visitors the chance to see works by some of the country’s most exciting artists and designers including a Turner Prize winner.
Simon, a former student on the Foundation Course 1985–86, said: “I am delighted to have been included in this informative exhibition of former tutors and alumni which was just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the quality of former staff and students. Firm Foundations is also a very good title, as it gave us exactly that – a firm foundation.
“When I was in sixth form, my art teachers thought I would benefit from the life drawing evening classes offered by St Albans School of Art and enrolled me. The experience was a liberating one. I had been considering studying history at university, but the evening classes tipped the balance, and I applied for the Foundation course.
“I look back on my time at the school as highly formative. I cannot overstate how important foundation courses such as St Albans were. They allowed students precious time to experiment without the pressure of a final degree show, and time to decide what they wanted to be without channelling them into binary choice between art and design. It was more than just a gap year between school and college.”
Curator and head of UH arts and culture Inna Allen said: “From early on St Albans School of Art had a palpable impact on the region’s art scene. It was – and still is – dedicated to generating curiosity, pursuing knowledge, and fostering creative and flexible modes of interdisciplinary thinking and collaboration.
“The curatorial choices in this exhibition consider these inspired and creative approaches, evident in the artists’ practices. There are visual and thematic connections between tutors and students, past and present, and the common ground they all share, having experienced the school at one stage in their lives.
“In reflecting on the institution’s wide-ranging past, the exhibition hopes to shine light on the role that arts education plays in our society today, and offers an opportunity to consider the value of creativity in relation to our communities, histories, and identities.
“The opening reception was a real success, busy and buzzing – it was so rewarding to see such keen interest in the school’s history and legacy. The exhibition has already generated many new conversations and ideas which will feed into our supporting events and the second show later in the year.”
SADC arts,tourism, heritage and culture manager and head of St Albans Museums Farhana Begum added: “It was a joyous event and delightful to see so many talented artists in one space. This free exhibition is for everyone and we welcome visitors from near and far to enjoy the wide-array of striking and dynamic pieces and learn more about the fascinating history of the school.”
The free exhibition runs in the Weston Gallery at St Albans Museum + Gallery until September 21.
Photos by Ann Kelly for St Albans Museums
