Creative Futures on Show: University of Wolverhampton Degree Exhibition Celebrates Emerging Talent

Final-year students from the University of Wolverhampton’s School of Creative Industries will take centre stage this June as they unveil their work at the much-anticipated Degree Show 2025.

The exhibition, which is open to the public for two weeks in June is expected to be the penultimate end of degree show before the school begins an exciting new chapter in its state-of-art home at City Campus North.

Lindsey Chambers, Head of School of Social Science, Humanities & Creative Industries, said: “This exhibition represents so much more than the culmination of our students’ academic journeys, it’s a celebration of their creativity and ambition. As we look ahead to the move to our wonderful contemporary new home, we’re looking forward to new generations of creative success and cultural impact. 

  “As staff, we are privileged to have nurtured the talents of another strong cohort and are honoured that our students graduating this July will continue to proudly carry forward our rich heritage into new legacies. 

“The creative industries are thriving, and our graduates are entering a healthy, ever-evolving sector full of opportunity”. 

The exhibition features work from across the School’s diverse undergraduate courses, including Animation, Game Design, Fashion, Film and Television Production, Fine Art, Graphics, Illustration, Interior and Product Design, Journalism, Photography and Textiles. 

Visitors can expect a dynamic mix of visual storytelling, critical thinking and cutting-edge design, shaped by professional practice and industry insight.

Among the exhibitors is Millie Elizabeth Elkington, a final-year Product Photography student, whose vibrant food photography series explores indulgence through a commercial lens. 

Millie, 20 from Birmingham, said: “This creative food photography series explores themes of indulgence through vibrant, free-standing images, presented in a distinctly commercial style. Influenced by Pop Art, my work is defined by bold, complementary colours and is all about elevating food to an artform. It is playful, polished, and designed to evoke desire and delight.”

Reflecting on her time at university, Millie added: “The course has been brilliant – the tutors are incredibly supportive, and the regular feedback sessions helped me grow creatively and professionally. It’s really validating to see your work exhibited after years of hard work.” 

After graduation, Millie, who currently works with a series of beauty brands and small businesses, intends to expand her portfolio of clients to focus on food brands. You can check out Millie’s work at www.millieelizabethphotography.co.uk; follow on Instagram at @MillieElizabethphotos. 

Fine Art student, Simmi Sahota, presents a multidisciplinary installation, 50ft.R0t, exploring the “brown femme fatale” navigating grief and objectification, using bow motifs, a wrestling ring, and a short film. Simmi describes the piece as intentionally raw and unruly:  "This work leaks. It's doesn't want to be clean. Stretched into something pixelated and festering." 

Going on to describe an aspect of the course which she deeply valued, the 24-year-old artist from West Bromwich, said: “The course has been a real eye-opener in terms of integrating art practice into the world beyond university. There’s so much space to explore different practices – and that’s what you need as an artist.” 

Drawn to Wolverhampton for its connection to the BLK Arts Group, Simmi is part of the WLV Togetherness collective. “That legacy really informs my work and the narratives I explore around people of colour.” 

A practising artist, Simmi has exhibited in Peckham and Brazil, and will feature in the upcoming show Commeth Lights at the 01902 Urban Room Gallery, Queen Square, on 27–28 June. See more of Simmi’s work at: foolspanzi.hotglue.me; follow on Instagram: @foolspanzi. 

A highlight of the University’s creative calendar, the annual exhibition draws visitors from across the region and beyond. Following the private view launch evening on Friday 6 June, the exhibition will be open to the public from Monday 9 June to Friday 20 June, Monday to Saturday, 10am–4pm, at the George Wallis Building, Molineux Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1DT – no booking required. 

Running alongside the Degree Show is the WLV Screen Awards, celebrating the best in student filmmaking. Hosted at the Wolverhampton Screen School, the event includes screenings of selected films and is open to students, alumni and the public. This event is open to the public, Thursday 5 June, 5pm-9.30pm, booking via Eventbrite.  

For more information about courses in the Wolverhampton School of Art and Screen School, check out the University website or register for one of our forthcoming Open Days.       

Check out more information about the Degree Show 2025.