The University of Westminster’s Gallery Coffee Shop was featured in the London Live News on 24 April. The coverage comes after the recent opening of the Coffee Shop this April at 311 Regent Street.
The Gallery Coffee Shop aims to boost students’ employability and finances in the cost-of-living crisis by selling their artworks on site and through a dedicated online store. In addition, it is the only independent artisan café on Regent Street with seasonal food and organic coffee.
London Live features interviews with Andre Pinkowski, Course Leader and Academic Lead in identifying and curating the student work on display; Laura Hamilton, student of the Photography MA course, and Ruth Martin from the Fine Art Mixed Media BA course; along with videos of the artworks and the coffee shop’s interior.
In the coverage, Andre talks about the curational process that involves the Westminster FOLIO platform. When choosing the works, the aim is to be as inclusive as possible, by including pieces from all courses at the University.
Laura and Ruth recall the way they heard about the opportunity from the University staff, explain the inspirations behind their art works, and talk about what being exhibited in the heart of London means to them.
“I had friends who displayed in Central London, and it cost a lot of money to rent a studio space even for an evening. To have the opportunity to have my work displayed in Central London without me having to pay for it, or being able to have a space to share my work in such a central location, is really incredible,” said Ruth.
Talking about the employability factor, Andre said: “They (the students) have to also think about how to present their work in a gallery, in a commercial context. I think that will help them in the future to also venture out into other places in London and to give them confidence to approach different places.”
Watch the full recording of the London Live News coverage from 33:12 minutes (available until Monday 1 May 2023).
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