We wanted to share our latest KE50 story with you, celebrating a fantastic collaboration between King Edward VI College Stourbridge and local artist – and former King Ed’s student – Stacy Hammond. As part of our celebrations marking 50 years since King Ed’s became a sixth form college, Stacy has created a stunning new mural bringing together the history, people, places and character of the College. There’s a lovely full-circle story behind the artwork too: Stacy completed the mural 16 years to the month after she first walked through our doors as a 16-year-old student.
Please find our full press release below, along with images from the official unveiling with Stacy and our Principal, Holly Bembridge. We’d be delighted if you were able to share the story with your readers and audiences. As always, if you require any further information, additional images or would like to arrange an interview with Stacy or Holly, please do get in touch.
Former student leaves her mark on King Ed’s with stunning mural celebrating 50 years of sixth form education at the college
A striking new mural celebrating 50 years of King Edward VI College Stourbridge has been officially unveiled by Principal Holly Bembridge and its creator – former King Ed’s student and local artist Stacy Hammond.
The specially commissioned artwork forms part of KE50, a year of celebrations marking 50 years since King Edward VI College became a sixth form college in 1976. Created by Black Country artist and illustrator Stacy Hammond, herself a former King Ed’s student (2010-2012), the mural brings together the history, character and community of the College in Stacy’s distinctive style. Filled with references to King Ed’s past and present – including some hidden details waiting to be discovered – the artwork has been designed as a lasting celebration of the thousands of students and staff who have been part of the College during the past half-century.
Its unveiling has particular significance for Stacy, who completed the artwork 16 years to the month after first arriving at King Ed’s as a 16-year-old student. Since then, she has established herself as an artist and illustrator whose work celebrates the places, history and people of Stourbridge and the wider Black Country. Her recent projects include the popular Stourbridge Music Map, celebrating the town’s rich musical heritage, and the Stourbridge Art Map, which showcases its creative landmarks. Stacy also co-curates Our Stourbridge, a community publication celebrating local people, places and creativity, while her wider portfolio features many of the area’s best-known and best-loved landmarks.
Holly Bembridge, Principal of King Edward VI College Stourbridge, said:
“There could hardly be a more fitting person to create this very special piece of our KE50 story. Stacy is not only an incredibly talented local artist, but one of our own former students, and her work has become synonymous with celebrating the history, character and community of Stourbridge. King Ed’s has been part of this town for centuries and, as we celebrate 50 years as a sixth form college, we wanted to create something which captures both our history and the enormous sense of community that exists here. Stacy has done that beautifully. What makes the mural even more special is knowing that Stacy first arrived here as a 16-year-old student and has now returned, 16 years later, to leave such a wonderful and permanent mark on the College. I hope generations of students, staff and visitors will stop to look at it, discover its hidden details and find something within it that connects with their own King Ed’s story.”
King Edward VI College’s history stretches back considerably further than the anniversary being celebrated. Founded following a Royal Charter granted by King Edward VI in 1552, the institution became a sixth form college in 1976. KE50 celebrates that defining moment in its modern history and the generations of young people who have studied at King Ed’s during the five decades since. The mural is one of a number of projects and events taking place as part of the College’s anniversary celebrations, culminating in a major KE50 Alumni Celebration Day on Saturday 26 September, bringing former students and staff back to Lower High Street to celebrate their shared connection with King Ed’s. To find out more about the KE50 celebrations, please visit www.kedst.ac.uk. You can find more information regarding Stacy Hammond on her website.
