Ron Dearing UTC’s annual Christmas market has been hailed a great success as visitors flocked to the festive event.
It was the second time the employer-led school has opened its STEAM Studios creative hub to members of the public, enabling them to buy a range of arts and crafts as well as Christmas gifts, cards and decorations.
Local creatives sold everything from ceramic bowls and vases, textile pictures, wooden candle holders, bags, photographs and books, to hand made jewellery, crystal fairy wands, cushions, prints, Christmas decorations and wreaths.
The event covered two floors of STEAM Studios, doubling the size of last year’s inaugural market.
Olwyn Reading sold her handmade Christmas gifts, cards and decorations to raise money for the Huntingdon’s Disease Association, a charity which is close to her family’s hearts. The charity supports those who are diagnosed with the incurable neurodegenerative disease.
Olwyn, a retired art and design teacher, said: “I make everything I sell in my spare time and I love making things and being creative.
“The Christmas market was my first craft event because I usually make sales from word of mouth.
“It’s a really good idea and I was so pleased to be part of it.”
Kathy King, Ron Dearing UTC Senior Assistant Principal and Joint Head of Sixth Form, and her husband, Andrew, also sold their homemade creations.
Kathy makes crystal jewellery, ceramics and woodland-inspired gifts, while Andrew carves and creates candle holders and charcuterie tables from wood and slate.
Kathy said: “The market was a great way of raising awareness of local creatives’ work while also enabling members of the public to visit STEAM Studios. We had a really good response and it might inspire people to have a go at making their own creations.”
Ron Dearing UTC’s Arts Council members also made their own decorations and gifts to sell.
Year 12 students Jacob Kemp and Jack Taylor, both 16, and Year 11 student Amelie Norsworthy, 15, helped to make fridge magnets, jewellery holders, napkin rings, framed ceramics and ornaments for the Christmas market. They raised over £900 for the Arts Council to support the creative work they do.
Amelie said: “I really enjoyed taking part and it helped to boost my confidence. It was nice to meet so many people and I learnt new skills making the decorations and gifts.”
Laura Furniss attended the event with her family, including son Leon Furniss, 14, a Year 10 student at Ron Dearing UTC.
Laura said: “It’s the first time we’ve been to an event at Ron Dearing UTC since Leon joined the school in September. It was nice to have a walk around the market and allow his grandparents to see where he comes to school.
“We bought some decorations, a table centrepiece and some candle holders. It really helped to get us into the festive spirit.”
Hull historian and author Dr Alec Gill MBE and poet and author Audrey Dunne also signed and sold copies of their books at the event.
Lynn Garland-Collins, Ron Dearing UTC’s Director of Creativity, said: “We’re delighted with the success of our Christmas arts market and it was brilliant to see many people there despite the awful weather!
“A tremendous amount of work goes into organising an event like this. I’d like to thank our amazing Creative team and our Arts Council for their hard work in making it such a success.
“It was lovely welcoming so many talented creative practitioners into STEAM Studios.
“It was also brilliant to see some of our own staff and students selling their handmade creations.
“They are truly talented and it was a great opportunity for them to showcase their work. We’re already looking forward to next year.”
