170 anniversary party | Leeds Arts University

More than 300 people attended the exclusive 170 anniversary party on 16 November at Leeds City Museum, one of the original Leeds School of Art buildings.

College staff, key partners in Leeds, current students and alumni from over the years, some of whom reunited with their art school friends for the first time since studying in the 1940s/50s; gathered to enjoy an evening of live jazz music from band The Hot Toddy Quintet, canapes and drinks.

There was also a unique, one-night-only, live human exhibition modelled by current students in specially made gowns featuring recent alumni artwork. Each of the fourteen gowns worn in the exhibition represented a piece of artwork from all of the courses that the College offers. The fifteenth gown was the exhibition title: 170 years in the making.

Mick McCann, author of ‘How Leeds Changed the World’ joined the party as the special keynote guest to tell the story of unknown Leeds over the last 170 years, which was particularly humorous and interesting.

Screened for the first time on the evening was the College’s 170 anniversary film (watch this space as it will be uploaded to the College website soon!) as well as the launch of its 170 anniversary publication showcasing some of the College’s most talented alumni.

Here’s to another 170 successful years!

Check out the images below or view all the photos from the evening in our Facebook album