Award Wins and Parliamentary Praise for City of Glasgow College at Craftex 2025

Craftex 2025 proved once again to be a standout event in Glasgow’s creative calendar, showcasing the exceptional work of students from across the city’s colleges. Hosted at the Trades House of Glasgow, Craftex is one of the country’s most cherished platforms for celebrating student creativity and craftsmanship in all its forms. The annual exhibition featured over 50 award categories, spanning everything from Graphic Design and Interior Design to Nail Art, Ceramics, and Furniture Craft.

City of Glasgow College students made an impressive mark this year, collecting top honours and standing out for their creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation. The event not only gave students a platform to exhibit their work but also opened doors to industry connections, potential employment opportunities, and wider recognition of their skills.

Gold Medal Winner – Robin Frowley (Furniture Craft – Advanced)

Robin took home the top prize for his remarkable reproduction of Tsunami by designer Brian Hubel. After a successful career in photography, Robin reassessed his creative path during the pandemic and returned to study—pursuing his long-held passion for furniture making. Inspired by Japanese design principles and the natural world, Robin’s work reflects clean lines, minimalism, and exceptional attention to detail.

Furniture students were among the strongest contributors to this year’s success. Emily Noble earned the Advanced Furniture Restoration Award, while June Greening took the Furniture Craft (Non-Advanced) title. Ryan Gruber was also honoured with the 5-Year Anniversary Leather Award for his craftsmanship.

Parliamentary Recognition for Teaching Excellence

The excellence on display this year was not only student-led. Behind these impressive wins is a dedicated team of staff who inspire excellence every day. These awards would not have been possible without the mentorship, guidance, and skill of the Furniture team at the college, whose commitment to student success is unwavering. In particular, Restoration Lecturer Mark Russell was recognised in the Scottish Parliament for his outstanding teaching, dedication, and the high standard of work achieved by his students. The motion, tabled by Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP, praised Mark’s “unwavering encouragement and uplifting nature in the workshop,” noting the exceptional craftsmanship seen in this year’s final exhibition.

Other City of Glasgow College winners included:

• Iona Bourne – Graphics (Advanced)
• Elizabeth De Pena – Graphics
• Lauren Hutchison – Bread Making (Advanced)
• Xue Dong – Cake Decoration, Sugar Craft (Advanced)
• Adrian Runowski – Interior Design (Advanced)
• Nicola Wawrzyniak – Interior Design
• Isla McMahon – Nail Art
• Ellah-Louise McCleave – Make-up
• …and many more across categories including Art Glass, Ceramics, and Model Making.

Scott Harvey, Furniture lecturer and Craftex College coordinator, praised this year’s showcase:

“This year’s entries, especially in Furniture and Restoration, were of an incredibly high standard. The passion and dedication of students like Robin, Emily, and June really show what’s possible when creativity is nurtured with skill and support. It’s inspiring.”

Congratulations to all the participants and winners at Craftex 2025. Your achievements are a true reflection of the talent, dedication, and craftsmanship fostered at City of Glasgow College—both by its students and its staff