Katherine Ryan stars as Birmingham City University champions its creative talent
Katherine Ryan returned to Birmingham City University (BCU) on Tuesday 13 June, to celebrate the ‘courageous’ creativity of graduating students from arts and design disciplines as she urged them to follow their creative paths.
The comedian, presenter and actor toured final-year art and design shows, before speaking to guests at the launch of the University’s annual Inspired Festival.
She lauded the work that she had seen on her tour, including illustration, architecture, graphics, fashion and textiles – and told the students that they inspired her and could go on to inspire countless others.
What shone when I was walking around here today was that these young people are courageously asking questions and being curious and exploring their own authenticity in a way that you should never feel imposter syndrome about or should never feel like apologising for.
I admire you so much because you are going for it and you only get one life and you have to do it and be creative.
Comedian, presenter and actor, Katherine Ryan.
She urged students to “keep being creative and be the brave artists you were born to be”.
A major annual milestone in the University’s calendar, Inspired Festival sees graduating students’ work exhibited across its city centre campus and throughout Birmingham city centre.
Our students are characterised by creativity, flair and a real sense of purpose, which is why we’re delighted to celebrate their efforts and ingenuity in such a special way.
We know that our graduates go on to enrich and improve the lives of people in Birmingham, the West Midlands and beyond – we can’t wait to see what they go on to achieve in their careers.
Professor Dean Hughes, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Design and Media at Birmingham City University.
The event also saw the return of BCU’s acclaimed student catwalk, where leading figures from the fashion, business and creative industries come together to celebrate the talents of graduating jewellery, fashion and textiles students.
BCU’s renowned School of Jewellery played host to Katherine Ryan in 2021 and 2022, as it provided the backdrop to the BBC’s popular talent-seeking programme All That Glitters, which was fronted by the Canadian star.
Inspired Festival, which showcases the brightest emerging talent from across BCU, runs until 25 June.
It kicked off on Saturday 10 June with Inspired Family Day, which saw hundreds of families from across the West Midlands flock to the University’s city centre campus to take part in dozens of free family-friendly activities.