From Tribeca film picks to Nike campaigns: Leeds School of Arts honours inaugural 'Luminaries'
A BAFTA-recognised film editor, a Nike campaign designer, and an award-winning architect have been named as the inaugural 'Luminaries' at Leeds School of Arts
Leeds School of Arts at Leeds Beckett University has launched a major new initiative to recognise the outstanding contributions its graduates are making across the global creative and cultural industries.
Titled ‘Luminaries,’ the initiative officially launched at a celebratory evening in the Leeds School of Arts building, where the inaugural trio of alumni delivered keynote speeches, answered audience questions, and unveiled permanent installations featuring their work and words of advice for future students.
The first three Luminaries represent three of the school's seven core subject areas, showcasing the diverse range of creative careers emerging from the Leeds institution
Bo Muchemwa (BA Architecture, 2010)
Co-founding director of architecture practice McCloy + Muchemwa, named in the Architects’ Journal 40 Under 40, a RIBA Journal Rising Star, and winner of the RIBA Yorkshire Bronze Medal.
His work has been exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition, and he now teaches at the University of Westminster and UCL’s Bartlett School of Architecture.
Nicholas Blowey (BA Graphic Design, 2022)
London-based interdisciplinary designer at Accept & Proceed specialising in branding, motion design, and 3D graphics, whose portfolio includes work on high-profile global campaigns for Nike.
Lesley Posso (BA Filmmaking, 2018)
Award-winning film editor whose work across fiction, documentary, and animation has earned recognition from the BAFTAs, BIFAs, and RTS Awards.
Her short film ‘Ovary-Acting’ recently premiered at the Tribeca Festival in New York following a personal selection by Whoopi Goldberg.
"Stay Curious and Collaborative"
Addressing current students and guests at the launch, the three alumni emphasised curiosity, mentorship, and community as the driving forces behind a sustainable creative career.
Film editor Lesley Posso urged students to actively seek out connections across the industry, saying: "Collaboration is key, in particular creating communities and being part of communities. Reach out to people who inspire you and find a mentor—one message could change the course of your career."
Architect Bo Muchemwa echoed the sentiment, noting that he still collaborates with creative partners he met during his student days in Leeds. "It is a challenging time to be a creative student," he said. "It requires a lot of commitment and self-belief. My advice is to stay curious and encourage others. What makes a creative career interesting is having a unique voice and the drive to express it."
Designer Nicholas Blowey highlighted how early access to industry during university acts as the ultimate "unlock" for young creatives entering the workplace.
The launch brought together members of the university community alongside civic leaders, including the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Stephen Holroyd.
"The creative industries are an essential part of what makes Leeds such a vibrant and dynamic city," said Councillor Holroyd. "It is wonderful to see Leeds School of Arts recognising graduates whose talent, hard work and creativity are having an impact both nationally and internationally."
Oliver Bray, Dean of the Leeds School of Arts, added: "Luminaries celebrates the extraordinary impact our graduates are having in the world and recognises the many ways that creative talent can flourish.
"Listening to Bo, Nicholas and Lesley, a common thread emerged: you do not always have to know exactly where you are going, or what you are doing, but you do need to remain curious, open to collaboration and willing to seize opportunities when they arise.
“We are incredibly proud that their journeys began here at Leeds School of Arts."
To explore the permanent installations and read more about the alumni profiles, visit the official Leeds School of Arts Luminaries page.