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Festive Gift Guide: Shop our Grads
Friday, 2 December, 2022 — Shop small and support local talent this Christmas - browse our hand-picked selection of unique gift ideas from a handful of our talented graduates.
<p dir="ltr">In the spirit of supporting small business and shopping locally, we’ve picked some of our incredible Arts University Plymouth graduates, so that you can spend your hard earned cash on meaningful festive gifts from independent artists and makers who we’re proud to call members of our creative community. <br /></p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-illustration"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-illustration">BA (Hons) Illustration</a>, class of 2022</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/smileyshri?ref=shop_sugg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shri Gunasekara</a> is an illustrator whose work features bold shapes and compositions as well as vibrant colours and textures. Her work explores family dynamics and intimacy through picture books, graphic novels and comics. Shri’s projects are an accumulation of fun and intimate family connections through a vivid and exuberant palette of visual storytelling.</p>
<p dir="ltr">At the 2022 Summer Shows, Shri was awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Commendation Award. This new annual award is to recognise outstanding creative and academic achievement, alongside a sustained contribution to the university community.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">Buy now: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1046688486/bobby-is-bored?click_key=75b156c3ddd28cecca47c2c11e8bb234e92154ba%3A1046688486&click_sum=d0567d6a&ref=shop_home_active_3&frs=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Bobby is Bored' Picture Book</a> £15</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/smileyshri_/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@smileyshri_</a><br /><a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/smileyshri?ref=shop_sugg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">etsy.com/smileyshri</a><br /></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-craft-material-practices">BA (Hons) Craft & Material Practices</a>, class of 2016</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">For those who like to gift activities, craft graduate <a href="https://www.instagram.com/axworthyluke/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luke Axworthy</a> followed his passion for metal smithing and works as an artisan blacksmith and instructor. Offering blacksmithing classes for all ages at the unique <a href="https://www.flameworks.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flameworks Creative Arts Facility</a> in Plymouth, Luke is passionate about teaching blacksmithing and building people’s confidence with metal work.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The classes cover various blacksmithing and metalwork techniques from heat and hammer control to making damascus steel and creating your own tools, learning and mastering fundamental hand-forging processes and exercises.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">Buy now: <a href="https://www.flameworks.org/blacksmithing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2 hour blacksmithing class</a> from £50<br /><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/axworthyluke/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@axworthyluke</a><br /><a href="http://www.flameworks.org/blacksmithing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.flameworks.org/blacksmithing</a><br /></p>
Luke Axworthy offers one on one blacksmithing classes
<p dir="ltr"><strong><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-illustration">BA (Hons) Illustration</a>, class of 2018</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.omgidrawedit.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">George Goodwin</a> is an illustrator who graduated from <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-illustration">BA (Hons) Illustration</a> with a First Class Honours in 2018. Creating unique artworks based around his love for nature and science fiction, his projects often reflect his ethics in regard to the environment and our relationship with the planet. As a graduate he has been featured in Computer Arts and Digital Arts magazine as one to watch in the Best Grad awards as well as having his work highlighted in Creative Boom’s highly coveted Inspiring Illustrators feature. He now illustrates under the moniker <a href="https://omgidrawedit.bigcartel.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OMGIDRAWEDIT</a>, and offers colourful and quirky prints of his illustrations featuring house plants, veg shops and arcades.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Buy now: <a href="https://omgidrawedit.bigcartel.com/product/veg-shop-a3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">‘Veg Shop’ Print</a> £25<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/omgidrawedit/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@omgidrawedit</a><br /><a href="https://omgidrawedit.bigcartel.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">omgidrawedit.bigcartel.com</a><br /></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undefined/ba-hons-fashion-design">BA (Hons) Fashion Design</a>, class of 2022</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/o_nowotnik/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oliwia Nowotnik</a>, who graduated with First Class honours in 2022, set up the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wiawear/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wia Wear</a> label while studying for her final year on our <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undefined/ba-hons-fashion-design">BA (Hons) Fashion Design</a> course. Talented designer Oliwia was picked to showcase her collection at <a href="https://www.graduatefashionweek.com/search-portfolios/oliwia-nowotnik" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">London’s Graduate Fashion Week 2022</a>. During her time at Arts University Plymouth Oliwia also acted as a public speaker and ambassador for the <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/plymouths-ignite-festival-of-creativity-returns" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IGNITE: Festival of Creativity</a>, speaking at live events and appearing in interviews with the BBC.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Based in Plymouth’s Go To Marketplace (GTMP) in Drake Circus, WIA WEAR’s designs are inspired by Oliwia’s expressive and extreme art, illustrations and graphics. Using handmade and reworked garments, with bold graphics Oliwia credits creating her label with giving her purpose, which is reflected in the clothes that she makes.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">Buy now: <a href="https://wiawearfashion.com/products/presence-graphic-hoodie-in-orange">PRESENCE GRAPHIC HOODIE in Orange</a> £70</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/wiawear/?hl=en">@wiawear</a><br /><a href="https://wiawearfashion.com/">wiawearfashion.com</a><br /></p>
PRESENCE GRAPHIC HOODIE in Orange by WIA WEAR, Oliwia Nowotnik's label
<p dir="ltr"><strong><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree/ual-level-3-extended-diploma-in-art-design">UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication</a>, class of 2019</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Alongside Wia Wear at GTMP, you will find Nina Westwood’s <a href="https://minski.co.uk/our-story" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MINSKI</a>, a slow fashion collective with a focus on creating sustainable and funky clothing using a variety of hand crafting techniques. Nina is a graduate of our <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree/ual-level-3-extended-diploma-in-art-design">UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication</a>. She was inspired to create Minski in 2019 while taking part in our annual Pre-Degree <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/events/design-to-sell-2022">Design to Sell </a>event.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Since the inception of MINKSI the label has developed into a project advocating upcycling, slow-fashion and the importance of fun. Nina uses hand printing methods frequently to design fabric and rework old clothing. Taking inspiration from festival and bohemian style, as well as streetwear, she aims to create a sense of fun and playfulness in her work and encourages people to try clothing on and get experimental with their outfits.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">Buy now: <a href="https://minski.co.uk/shop-all/p/uelqrb5enu15kmwhac66u8cyijx9zy">Bucket Hat</a> £30</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/minski.official/?hl=en">@minski.official</a><br /><a href="https://minski.co.uk/">minski.co.uk</a><br /></p>
Bucket Ha by MINSKI
<p dir="ltr"><strong><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undefined/ba-hons-fashion-design">BA (Hons) Fashion Design</a>, class of 2016</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Another graduate based in the GoTo Marketplace is Poppy Yeoman, who graduated with First Class honours from our <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undefined/ba-hons-fashion-design">BA (Hons) Fashion Design</a> course. She is the founder of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theoriginalfruitcakes/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Original Fruitcakes</a> and previously had her clothing sold in a space on Southside Street in Plymouth’s historical Barbican. Promoting sustainable fashion, Poppy’s hand-picked funky vintage garments are perfect for any slow fashion enthusiasts<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">Buy now: <a href="https://www.depop.com/products/theoriginalfruitcakes-the-original-fruitcakes-love-is-6749/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Love is a Snake Pit' Bodice</a> £55</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/theoriginalfruitcakes/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@theoriginalfruitcakes</a><br /><a href="https://www.depop.com/theoriginalfruitcakes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">depop.com/theoriginalfruitcakes</a><br /></p>
'Love is a Snake Pit' Bodice by The Original Fruitcakes
<p dir="ltr"><strong><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-illustration">BA (Hons) Illustration</a>, class of 2012</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://benchallen.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ben Challen</a> is a London based printmaker and illustrator, who graduated from Arts University Plymouth in 2012. Known for his encyclopaedic documenting of natural history and specialising in nautical narratives, his work is inspired by the beauty of the natural and unnatural world - from the Mariana Trench to the Crab Nebula<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">Buy now: <a href="https://jealousgallery.com/products/seas-the-day" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Seas The Day' Print</a> £50</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/benchallen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@benchallen</a><br /><a href="https://jealousgallery.com/collections/bench-allen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">jealousgallery.com/collections/bench-allen</a><br /></p>
'Seas The Day' Print by Ben Challen
<p dir="ltr"><strong><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-graphic-design">BA (Hons) Graphic Design</a> & <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/ma-printmaking">MA Printmaking</a>, class of 2021</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.suelewry.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sue Lewry</a>, graduate of <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-graphic-design">BA (Hons) Graphic Design</a> and more recently in 2021, <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/ma-printmaking">MA Printmaking</a>, has gone on from her studies to being an active part of the local creative community. Over the summer, Sue successfully fundraised over £8,000 with Crowdfunder and Arts University Plymouth to grow <a href="https://www.suelewry.com/shop-colossal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colossal</a>, her mobile screen-printing workshop and limited edition print shop. Sue recently completed a residency which included four months of access to the specialist print facilities at Ocean Studios.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Visit her website to buy bright and bold limited edition prints that have been screen printed by hand.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">Buy now: <a href="https://www.suelewry.com/shop-colossal/blue-circles" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Blue Circles' Print</a> £20</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/suelewry/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@suelewry</a><br /><a href="https://www.suelewry.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">suelewry.com</a><br /></p>
'Blue Circles' Print by Sue Lewry
<p dir="ltr"><strong><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-illustration">BA (Hons) Illustration</a>, class of 2014</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Graduating with a First Class Honours, <a href="http://www.samuelbthorne.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Samuel Thorne</a> is an illustrator and designer inspired by the Golden Age of animation, vintage comic books, pop art, 1950s advertisements and 1980s skateboard graphics. His work has appeared on the front cover of Little White Lies digital magazine and he specialises in gig posters, album artwork and screenprinting. You can find his retro cartoon inspired designs on stickers and postcards, perfect for stocking fillers.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">Buy now: <a href="https://samuelbthorne.bigcartel.com/product/pizza-jaws-vinyl-sticker" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Pizza Jaws' Vinyl Sticker</a> from £1</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/samuelbthorne/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@samuelbthorne</a><br /><a href="https://samuelbthorne.bigcartel.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">samuelbthorne.bigcartel.com</a><br /></p>
'Pizza Jaws' Vinyl Sticker by Samuel Thorne
<p dir="ltr">Three of our graduates from our <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-illustration">BA (Hons) Illustration</a>, <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-textile-design">BA (Hons) Textiles</a> and <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-fine-art">BA (Hons) Fine Art</a> courses have collaborated with <a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tate</a> on their annual Christmas card collection. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Eleanor Andrews’ <a href="https://shop.tate.org.uk/eleanor-andrews-christmas-time-mischief-cards-pack-of-6/27602.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">‘Christmas Time Mischief’</a> designs, Faye Bentley’s <a href="https://shop.tate.org.uk/faye-bentley-have-a-holly-jolly-christmas-cards-pack-of-6/27601.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">‘Have a Holly Jolly Christmas’</a> designs, and Stella Olivier’s <a href="https://shop.tate.org.uk/stella-olivier-coniferous-forest-christmas-cards-pack-of-6/27603.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">‘Coniferous Forest’ </a>designs are all on sale now at Tate galleries and shops across the UK, as well as online.<br /></p>