MATURE students are juggling the demands of work and childcare to explore new horizons and show off their journeys into the world of art.

Their work is among the items on display at the Oxford and Cherwell Valley College creative art department’s end of year show, which is open until tomorrow.

Former Oxford Mail journalist Rosalind Miles, 31, is showing a short film of modulating colours set to classical music and sketches of musicians.

She said: “This course has been great as it is so flexible. It has allowed me to develop creatively while working at the same time. It has helped me change career direction.”

She is hoping to be a freelance artist and film-maker.

Mum-of-three Nicola Cannon, 34, from Wantage, will now study photography in Swindon after completing an Access to Higher Education Art and Design course.

After doing art at school, she married at 20 and had her first child, Thomas, at 21.

Nicola, who is displaying candid photographs of people, said: “I thought the opportunity to study had passed me by.”

Summertown resident Leanne Strange, 27, is exhibiting fashion designs including a full-length backless maxi dress, and will now study knitting in London.

Leanne, mum to Qiyana-Raine, two, said: “I have been able to find myself again. I’m not just a mum, I’m actually a lot more than that.”

Emily Bushnell, who spent two years working in retail, is exhibiting her pottery.

She said: “My works are all about myself. There is one pot that says my biggest fear in life is failure.”

Creative Arts section programme manager Lorraine Jones said the work, on show at the Kennett Building at Oxford and Cherwell Valley College, Oxpens Road was “really diverse”.