SWITCHED-ON students from South Dartmoor Community College and its Atrium Studio School are quickly developing their business acumen.

They rubbed shoulders with professional artists and crafts people during the weekend of the prestigious craft festival in Bovey Tracey where they also took their first steps into the marketing world.

Year 12 students from the art and design department worked with professional screen printer Phil Summerscale during a project which challenged them to run their own commercial stand selling their T-shirt designs.

They also hosted workshops for children interested in learning more about the screen-printing process, including the skill of silk screen printing using professional methods.

The initiative was supported by the Helen Foundation, a local charity that provides prizes in schools and subsidises arts-based workshops and bursaries.

Students aged 14-18 from the college also used the occasion to launch a new brand – Acrylic Skateboards.

The dynamic and creative team – with a passion for design and skateboarding – is determined to establish its own brand.

At the festival members kicked off the venture with their T-shirts and stickers.

They are applying for funding via Arts Council England to expand the brand with hopes of widening merchandise lines.

Plans are already afoot for a local exhibition celebrating their design work displayed on skateboards.

Ben Mukherjee, subject lead for art at South Dartmoor Community College, said: ‘We are so proud of the creativity and hard work of our students involved with the craft festival.

‘It was a brilliant opportunity for them to work together and develop key skills when engaging with the local community and selling their merchandise.’

He added: ‘It was a huge success – and happy customers were able to take away T-shirts with their own designs printed.

‘There was an atmosphere of industry and wonder and, despite the rain, it certainly did not dampen anyone’s spirit!’

All profits from the event will be used to support the South Dartmoor Community College sixth form art curriculum and environment.

The Acrylic Skateboards team, which plans to use its profits to help the brand grow, is keen to make links with local community and business groups.

Anyone interested in knowing more about the enterprise can find out more on [email protected].