UNFOLD: University of Bedfordshire MA Art and Design Degree Show

24 September – 24 October 2026

The University of Bedfordshire’s 2026 MA Art and Design Degree Show, UNFOLD, opened in Luton on Thursday 24 September, bringing together the work of five graduating postgraduate artists across two venues.

Presented in partnership with Luton Culture Trust, the exhibition gives audiences the opportunity to experience new work by emerging creative practitioners and to see the ideas, research and experimentation developed during their postgraduate studies.

The five artists are Agnieszka Słomińska, Karol Madej, Diana Camara, Simra Ishtiaq and Lauren Saunders - Love, working across a range of disciplines and approaches including photography, collage, large-format print, sculpture, installation, video, digital practice and original mark-making.

A two-venue exhibition

The evening began at the University of Bedfordshire's Alexon Building, home to the University's School of Computing, Engineering and Creative Industries. The building has its own connection to Luton's industrial history, standing on a site associated with the town's twentieth-century hat-making and clothing industries.

The opening included welcomes from the Mayor of Luton, Cllr Javed Hussein, Kathryn Pugh, Head of School, and Jakub Rokita, Creative Talent Project Lead at Luton Culture Trust, followed by refreshments and an opportunity to explore the exhibition.

The exhibition at the Alexon Building includes the students' wider body of work, including sculptural and three-dimensional pieces, and remains open to the public until 1 October 2026.

The exhibition then continued around the corner at Hat Factory Arts Centre, bringing the work into the Long Gallery within the Hat District.

The Long Gallery presentation includes work by all five students. Lauren Saunders Love's work is presented exclusively at Hat Factory, combining photographs of three-dimensional objects with original 2D work and mark-making. The other four artists each have framed works on display.

The Hat Factory exhibition remains open until 24 October 2026.

An evening with the artists

Following the opening at Alexon Building, audiences moved to Hat Factory Café, where all five artists gave short presentations about their work and creative practices.

The presentations were followed by informal conversation and networking, giving students an opportunity to speak directly with audiences, university staff, alumni and other members of Luton's creative community.

The evening coincided with the closing celebration of Luton at Heart: Life, Loved & Lived – Stories of Recovery & Renewal, also taking place at Hat Factory Arts Centre, bringing additional audiences into the building and contributing to a busy evening across the Hat District.

Around 50 people attended the Hat Factory part of the evening, alongside additional visitors arriving from the concurrent exhibition.

Guests included students, university staff and alumni, as well as local representatives including the Mayor of Luton, Councillor Javed Hussain, and Rachel Hopkins MP for Luton South and South Bedfordshire.

Supporting emerging creative talent

UNFOLD is the latest example of the partnership between the University of Bedfordshire and Luton Culture Trust creating opportunities for emerging artists to present their work to public audiences.

It follows the Emerging Talent Exhibition held at Hat Factory Arts Centre earlier this year, which brought together work by college and university students.

Together, these projects form part of Luton Culture Trust's wider work supporting creative talent at different stages, from students and early-career practitioners through to established artists, while creating opportunities for local audiences to encounter new work.

The Creative Industry Network provides a further connection between artists, audiences, creative spaces, advice, events and professional opportunities across Luton.

Visit UNFOLD

Alexon Building, University of Bedfordshire
Open to the public until 1 October 2026

Long Gallery, Hat Factory Arts Centre
Open until 24 October 2026

Admission is free.

Come and see the work and support the next generation of creative practitioners.