A diverse group of over 60 alumni (from as far back as the 1940s all the way up to the 1980s) came along to the Pre 1990s Alumni Gathering at Chelsea College of Arts on Tuesday 21 June 2016, to meet up with old friends, and to make some new ones.
Guests meet up with their old classmates at the event
We held the event as a way of re-connecting with alumni we no longer have contact details for. In the lead up to the event, we asked our guests to put us in touch with classmates they were still in touch with. As a result, we welcomed many alumni back to the UAL community. This is part of an ongoing project at UAL to strengthen our historical records. If you are still in touch with your old classmates, please do send their details on to us, or encourage them to get in touch with us directly at alumni@arts.ac.uk, so we can let them know about news and events from the Alumni Association.
Professor Chris Wainwright, Head of Camberwell, Chelsea, Wimbledon
The event was introduced by Chris Wainwright, Head of Camberwell, Chelsea and Wimbledon Colleges of Arts, who welcomed the guests back to the College.
UAL staff members Neil Cummings and Nicolas Addison both then spoke about the projects they were working on to gather memories of Chelsea over the years, asking the guests to donate any documents or images they have from their time at the College. (If you have anything you think would be of interest from your time studying at Chelsea, please let us know by contacting us at alumni@arts.ac.uk).
Nicolas Addison and Neil Cummings
George Blacklock, Dean of Chelsea College of Arts, spoke about the high calibre of this year’s graduating students, and updated the guests about life at the College today.
George Blacklock, Dean of Chelsea College of Arts
The guests were then led on a tour of the Chelsea Undergraduate degree shows by George and Brian Chalkley, MA Fine Art Course Director.
Brian Chalkley leading the guests on a tour of the Chelsea Degree Show
After the tours of the summer show had finished, many guests stayed for more drinks late on into the evening.
Guests enjoying more of the degree show
We want to thank all the guests who attended, and made the evening such a success!
View more images from the event here
Find out more about the UAL Alumni Association
All images by Ana Escobar