FORMER students from the country s first part-time BA honours fine art degree course have gathered to celebrate their 25th anniversary. They graduated from what is now the University of Hertfordshire but was then Hertfordshire College of Art & Design base

FORMER students from the country's first part-time BA honours fine art degree course have gathered to celebrate their 25th anniversary.

They graduated from what is now the University of Hertfordshire but was then Hertfordshire College of Art & Design based in St Albans.

Over 20 artists, painters and sculptors reunited at the Hatfield-based university last month to catch up with college friends.

Some of the former students have gone into teaching, while others were exhibiting their work or organising art events such as the Herts Visual Arts Forum.

Former lecturer and artist, Graham Boyd, welcomed his group of past students with a presentation including the work of eleven of the guests.

Of the featured artists was well-known sculptor Diane Maclean, who works on public art commissions and is the creator of The Mountain - a stainless steel sculpture on the university's College Lane Campus.

Diane said: "Artists tend to lead solitary lives as far as their work is concerned; it is the nature of what they do.

"We hope making these contacts will be beneficial in reconnecting with former colleagues and create a network that will grow and include others who graduated more recently."

Contact the university to find out more information on its current art courses. Call 01707 284000.