A pop-up shop featuring merchandise designed by BTEC National Art and Design students from Collyer’s Sixth Form College will open at Horsham Museum on Saturday 4 May. The shop will sell merchandise of prints, cards and tote bags inspired by Horsham’s cultural identity past and present.

The students were given a brief to guide their creativity which tasked them with creating vibrant, celebratory graphic works that represent Horsham as a thriving market town.

As members of the local community, they were challenged to produce items which will encourage shopping local and tourism in the District, as well as championing Horsham’s rural and historical links. The students visited the Museum in February to seek inspiration from the its galleries and collections, and many of the stories that they uncovered are represented in the merchandise.

Speaking about the experience, Sharon Porter, Subject Leader for BTEC Art and Design said:

“This is an invaluable experience for our first-year students. Responding to a live brief and having the opportunity to have work on display in a public space highlights the vocational value of what we do. It is an excellent addition for their growing portfolios and CVs.”

Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Green Spaces Cllr Jon Olson commented:

“I warmly invite residents and visitors to come to Horsham Museum and browse merchandise produced by our young local designers. This is such a wonderful output and opportunity to share in the partnership between the Council’s Museum and Art Gallery and Collyer’s Sixth Form College.”

The pop-up shop is part of the partnership between Horsham District Council’s Museum and Collyer’s Sixth Form College to support early career development in the heritage sector and will be open from 4th May to 8th June 2024.