More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Art and design students from North Kent College won a pitch to design for lockdown singing superstar Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
Sophie and Frank Groom, from architectural metalwork firm Contraworx, got in touch with the college and asked them to pitch a design for a bench to help raise money for the mental health charity MIND.
NKC students Harvey Shell, Amber Ferris and Sophie Robson were the winners and collaborated to complete the artwork over three months.
The designs were based on Sophie’s latest album, Songs from the Kitchen Disco. The album came after the singer-songwriter performed live weekly Kitchen Disco concerts during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, featuring herself and her family, streamed live from their kitchen on Instagram.
The bench itself was constructed by Frank Groom, of Contraworx, which is in Gravesend.
He was previously a lecturer at the college for 13 years and wanted to give the students the opportunity to work on the brief for Sophie, who is one of his clients.
The singer - who has had hits with Murder on the Dancefloor, Take Me Home and Crying At The Discotheque - shared news of the bench on her Instagram feed, which has almost 370,000 followers.
Frank said: “Contraworx is a caring company and we appreciate giving something back to everyone. Working with North Kent College has been a fantastic experience."
Tom Legge, lecturer in graphic design, said: “We have thoroughly enjoyed working on this brief and working with a celebrity in the process. We hope the bench raises a lot of money for such a worthy charity.
"Thanks Sophie and Frank for working and collaborating with North Kent College."
The bench will be won by someone who donates to the fundraiser which can be found via this link here.
