A vibrant new series of illustrative installations is set to be officially unveiled at Canford School, celebrating a unique collaboration between Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) BA (Hons) Illustration students and the historic independent boarding school.
On Friday 12 June, a special celebration event marked the completion of the project, which has transformed the interior spaces of Canford’s new, state-of-the-art Sixth Form hub, known as The College.
The brief challenged the AUB students to create high-resolution digital illustrations tailored specifically for vinyl printing with the final collection of selected works installed as striking vignettes in key communal areas across the hub, including the conference room and student corridors.
The creative process began with an immersive dive into Canford's rich past. Project lead and AUB Illustration academic Bridie Cheeseman spent time exploring the school's extensive archives alongside Illustration students, gathering historical photographs and scans to inform an in-depth research phase.
Driven by the evocative prompt from Mary Oliver’s poem, "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?", the students were tasked with creating a youthful, colourful aesthetic that bridges the gap between school life and the future.
Following a competitive pitch process, a collection of designs from nine selected student illustrators was chosen for the final installation. The resulting artwork beautifully weaves together the historical legacy of the site from its 19th century origins as a manor house and home to the Guest family to its modern identity as a bustling, supportive boarding school community.
The vignettes feature prominent historical figures, iconic campus architecture, and a dynamic look at student life through the decades. Bridie comments, “It’s been an incredible process working with the students on this brief.
“The students spent hours combing through the archives, and it’s been brilliant to see how they’ve translated centuries of history into fresh, contemporary designs. The final pieces bring an immense amount of energy and colour into the new Sixth Form space, and we are thrilled to celebrate their hard work.”
“Canford has such a rich artistic heritage, and seeing my work installed alongside their existing collection is incredibly rewarding," adds third-year Illustration student Amy Ryalls. "The students were so excited to see the new installations popping up in the Sixth Form hub. Working with Canford has been a wonderful experience, and I hope they love the final results.”
Nicola Will, Head of Art at Canford School, says, “We are absolutely delighted with the creativity and dedication the AUB students have poured into this project. The College is designed to prepare our pupils for life beyond Canford, and this artwork perfectly encapsulates that transitional spirit. By blending our rich history with a modern, youthful aesthetic, these installations will serve as a daily inspiration for everyone who uses the space.”
