Southampton Solent University’s Re:So, which supports student and graduate designer-makers and independent sellers, has a selection of its products on sale at The Dart in Hedge End.
The Dart is a community hub that offers a range of activities and sells products made by local artists.
The collaboration with Re:So will see the product selection frequently updated, giving every maker at Re:So the opportunity to reach new audiences.
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Sarah Peters, an MA Visual Communication alumna who worked at Re:So as a graduate intern, and is now The Dart’s arts centre assistant, said: “Showcasing the fresh, vibrant and bold pieces from Re:So’s designers, makers and artists gives Solent’s students and graduates a chance to sell their products, and also shows pupils at Wildern School, which is part of The Raise Education Trust, what they could aim for if they pursued higher education in the arts.
“It seemed like a really good opportunity all round, giving excellent visibility to their creations with a new and engaged crowd.”
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Re:So offers up to 2,000 hours a year of work-based learning, giving students the opportunity to learn different skills, from visual merchandising to running a business.
Sarah said: “My graduate internship at Re:So was genuinely a transformative experience.
“It allowed me to transition from a job that wasn’t quite the right fit and fully immerse myself in the creative sector in a retail environment.
“The opportunity directly led to me landing my dream job at The Dart Centre.”
Handmade products from Re:So are now a permanent fixture in The Dart Centre, allowing visitors the opportunity to browse and buy bespoke items.
Senior lecturer at Solent, Lesley Taylor, said: “The opportunity to collaborate with The Dart Centre puts Re:So’s designers and artists in front of a new customer base within the Southampton community, including the pupils at Wildern School.
“It is testament to Sarah, who managed Re:So as a graduate intern, that this link is in place, and we are discussing collaborative events that will give Solent’s students work-based learning opportunities.”
