THE York St John University campus comes alive today at the start of Create10, a week of performances, concerts, screenings and exhibitions.

Graduates from the art, creative industries, dance, design, film and television and music and theatre courses will be showing their work to the wider public until next weekend.

“Create10 is a multi-layered event in which the university demonstrates its continued commitment to developing and supporting the next wave of new artists and cultural commentators,” says Professor Steve Purcell, dean of the faculty of arts.

“The showcase is an important part of York’s contemporary cultural calendar and we hope people will come along and experience the diverse range of work.”

Works on display include a coaster and water dispenser designed by Heather Alstead, a final-year BA product design student.

The inspiration for Heather’s Replenish products came from caring for an elderly relative and discovering how quickly the elderly can become dehydrated. The coaster lights up and pulses to alert users to remember to drink the recommended daily allowance, while the water dispenser is simplistic in design and dismantles into four parts, making it easy to use.

“I’ve received valuable support to develop products that are not only innovative in design but also make a difference to the wellbeing of the elderly,” says Heather, who was awarded a university scholarship to support the development of a prototype.

“Create10 will allow me to exhibit my products in a professional setting, while celebrating my time here.”

Theatre productions, concerts and film and TV screenings will be integral to the showcase, too. Students in the theatre department have created 100 original pieces of theatre, performing in studios, schools, shop fronts, pubs and on the street, and during Create 10, Jane Allanach, mother of three and Iraq war veteran, will perform a piece entitled Handbags And Herstories.

David Richmond, head of programme for BA Theatre, says: “Jane’s solo performance will be one of the many exclusive performances in Create10. Like many students, she has balanced a complex mix of life and study during her time at York St John, but through hard work, engagement and creativity, she has created a series of graceful and intelligent theatre works.”

The Create10 showcase runs at York St John University and in selected York venues from today until May 28. Events and exhibitions are free and open to the public; full programme details are available at yorksj.ac.uk/create10