UAL Diploma in Art and Design students from City of Westminster College reached an international stage at the 2026 WAS Culture Festival in Changzhou, China, showcasing their work through a collaborative art project ‘Building Bridges with China – A Cultural Fusion’.
The project invited students to explore their own cultural identity and merge this with elements of Chinese artistry. The initiative was led at CWC by Art & Design Lecturer Moni Aksdal in collaboration with Mr Steve Dowson from Wycombe Abbey School in Changzhou. Moni said “it is a fantastic opportunity for portfolios, CV building and in general to extend experiences to international levels and understand how important communication can be through the arts.”
Student work was exhibited alongside entries from a range of international schools and judged by a panel of international educators and senior staff. CWC students delivered an exceptional performance. Highlights include:
The quality of work from all participating students was described as “fantastic”. Marli Chaplin’s artwork combined Caribbean and Chinese culture, using symbolism, colour, and techniques including double exposure to send a message of tranquillity and connection.
She said “This project was a great way to learn about Chinese culture and art. I had an amazing time experimenting with what ideas could work, finalising the piece and finding out that I came 1st place! I am beyond grateful that my work has been hung up in China for everyone to see.”
Katrine Otomewo’s photographic piece explored the contrast between growing up in the UK and Denmark, inspired by the Danish concept of ‘hygge’ and the idea of belonging across cultures.
Katrine said “Having my work displayed in another country was something that had really amazed me knowing that my art had reached that far. Working on my project really pushed my boundaries as I had to think of ways to link my culture to Chinese culture as they are quite different. So, this project helped me go out of my comfort zone which helped me grow as an artist.”
The student’s competition work is now on display at City of Westminster College’s Paddington Green Campus for the end of year exhibition. This accompanies artwork from students at Hangzhou No.4 High School, another college partner based in China, who have developed and shared pieces on the theme of ‘Place and belonging’.
United Colleges Group understands the value of international partnerships in providing students with real-world creative opportunities and exposure to diverse cultural perspectives. We aim to continue building on this collaboration in future projects, further strengthening our global outlook in art and design and wider curriculum areas.
“My experience at College of Northwest London, has been exciting, it has been thrilling and it has been full of opportunities, and we have the tutors that help us whenever we’re in need. We go on educational trips to get a feel for what university life is like. We have the careers advisors that help us on our path, our university path.”
“The facilities here are brilliant. You have range of courses you can study. My teachers in the Performing Arts department have got history in the industry, which is very useful. You get to ask them for advice and actual knowledge from the industry, and take that into your own work within the college also afterwards. ”
“At City of Westminster College, my experience has been the best of all the other colleges I’ve attended. The reason I like CWC is because the teachers make my journey easier with assessment and exams. I’m a Level Two Science student and I enjoy my lessons because most of them are practical, which are helpful for me. I love studying at CWC because you meet people from other countries – all over the world and from all different communities.”
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“The technical knowledge and hands-on experience gained during my apprenticeship at College of North West London have been invaluable, particularly in understanding site processes, health and safety requirements and the understanding of electrical systems.”
“My experience studying at City of Westminster College has been amazing. It’s been so welcoming; I enjoy it very much because of the staff members we have here. They’re very approachable and I could come to them with any question, and it will be answered straight away. And if I come early for a class, I can use the Learning Resources Centre, I can use the computers, the books, just to continue all my studies outside the classroom time.”
“The training process was seamless. I had good instructors who were very flexible, supporting people of all learning levels. On the last day after our exams, a security company came and did a presentation. We had the opportunity to have an interview afterwards. I told them about my experiences, and they said I would be a good fit. I formally applied for a role and started with the company soon after. Getting into security has opened doors for me. I hope I will continue to take steps up the career ladder.”
“Coming to study at the City of Westminster College was the best decision that I had ever made. The teachers are very accommodating – they help you learn things in a way that might be easier for you to learn. They are very supportive and I think that’s one of the best things about learning here.”
“I was so grateful to have won Apprentice of the Year at the West London Business Awards 2026, I could not have done it without the support my company Size Group and the College of North West London.”
