A MAJOR exhibition of illustrations from around the world will offer the first chance to see inside the University of Worcester’s new Art House.

The World Illustration Awards 2018 exhibition will open for four weeks from October 9 in the university's Art House on Castle Street.

The new facility is set to breathe new life into the Grade II listed building, formerly a car showroom opened in 1939 for Lord Austin of Austin Motors.

The building adds to the university’s cultural contribution to the city, providing public exhibition space as well as a centre for children’s creative camps in school holidays.

The debut exhibition will feature around 80 pieces of artwork created by artists from across the world.

Professor David Green, the university’s vice chancellor and chief executive said the art house "springs to life in one of Worcester’s most iconic buildings".

He described its high ceilings and "wonderful north light" as a "most suitable venue for its new purposes".

"In the years to come, the university’s Art House will provide a magnificent facility for students of subjects such as Arts, Illustration and Design as well as those training to become professionals using art for educational and therapeutic purposes," he continued.

The university has been working with contractors, Stepnell, for months to convert the art deco building, which sits opposite the main city campus hub in what was once the Royal Infirmary.

The World Illustration Awards, organised by The Association of Illustrators (The AOI), in partnership with the Directory of Illustration, this year drew a record 3,300 entries from 75 countries.

The exhibition of shortlisted and category winning projects explores what illustration means today, how it shapes our world and how the art form itself is changing.

Arts staff at the university are also putting together The Migrations Exhibition, which features more than 300 postcards, each bearing an illustration of a bird – currently touring in South Korea.

Leading artists from around the world have contributed, including The Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler.

The World Illustration Awards 2018 exhibition will be open daily from Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm, for 4 weeks, from October 9.

Visit worcester.ac.uk for more information or for application enquiries phone 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk.