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Three Nottingham Trent University students are among the 1000 international artists, from over 100 nations, who will be exhibiting at the world’s first World Event Young Artists 2012 (WEYA).

Emily Macinnes, Emily Moya Addis and Lauren O’Grady, who were chosen by independent selection panels, will each showcase a piece of their work  at the new international arts festival.  The artists, all aged between 18 and 30, work across every art form – from visual art, music, dance and photography to film, spoken word, theatre and gastronomy – and will bring their work to Nottingham for a 10-day festival celebration as the finale of the Cultural Olympiad.

Emily Macinnes, currently studying photography at the university, was selected for her moving image pieces, which explore issues of trauma and distress. Demonstrating a strong social conscience and approaching her subjects with sensitivity, Emily will show Blindsight – an audio visual piece that deals with coming to terms with visual impairment – at the exhibition.

Also studying photography, Emily Moya Addis – whose work explores social groups and inclusion within hierarchical environments – will exhibit two photographic images titled Canteen and Changing Rooms, which look specifically at the high school arena.

While fine art masters student Lauren O’Grady will showcase sculptural works titled “Only give me back the world I threw away”. Inspired by the novel A Far Sunset by Edmund Cooper, Lauren’s work is concerned with highlighting the construction of truth and historica narrative and offering a satirical look at humans’ ability to imagine the worst possible outcomes.

Professor Terry Shave, head of visual arts in Nottingham Trent University’s School of Art & Design, and chair of UK Young Artists, said: “World Event Young Artists 2012 confirms Nottingham’s position as a centre for creativity, and will be a unique opportunity to create the conditions for intercultural dialogue.

“Nottingham Trent University is not only a key partner for the event, but has been instrumental in bringing World Event Young Artists 2012 to the city. We are really excited that three of our students have been selected to show their work.”

WEYA 2012 is hosted by UK Young Artists – an organisation founded by Nottingham Trent University, De Montfort University Leicester, Loughborough University and the University of Derby – and supported by Arts Council England, Cultural Olympiad East Midlands, Nottingham Trent University and Nottingham City Council.

Ann Priest, pro vice-chancellor and head of college, Art and Design and Built Environment, said: “World Event Young Artists will bring together and celebrate the creative talent and artistic excellence of young people from across the globe, and will give the artists the chance to showcase their practice, exchange ideas and build future collaborations.

“We are very proud to be supporting the development of the WEYA event in the East Midlands. The involvement of local artists and students and engagement of schools and the community should ensure a lasting legacy for the region.

“It is great that three of our students have been selected to show their work, and alongside Emily, Emily and Lauren seven art and design graduates have also been chosen to exhibit work in this exciting event. This is a great achievement and demonstrates our reputation as a leading school of art and design.”

Fine art graduates Alice Gale-Feeny, Alice Georgina Thickett, Leila Al –Yousuf, Jeffery Baker, Finbar Prior, Frank Kent, and Alex Pain will also be showcasing their work at the event.

WEYA 2012 will take place across 30 venues and alternative spaces in Nottingham from 7 to 16 September. Alongside the exhibitions, a festival programme will bring together some of the leading lights of the international arts scene. Opening weekend celebrations include open air live music events and visual projections on the Market Square and a full-scale Mandala performance.

For more information visit http://worldeventyoungartists.com/