STUDENTS from Sir John Deane’s College braved temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees during an art-inspired trip to New York.

Thirty-nine art and photography students enjoyed a packed itinerary, which included visits to internationally-acclaimed galleries MoMa, the Metropolitan Museum, the Guggenheim, the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum and the Fashion Institute of Technology.

They also received a special guided tour of the studios at the New York Academy, one of the world’s top art schools, by former Sir John Deane’s College student Amy Hughes, who is studying for her masters degree there.

Andy Marshall, head of art and design at Sir John Deane’s, said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for students to draw inspiration from one of the most exciting cities in the world.

“They experienced first-hand an exceptional range of work from a variety of genres and periods, and the tour of the New York Academy by a former SJD student was the icing on the cake, giving them a real sense of what they could achieve.”

Students also took inspiration from smaller, independent galleries in the Chelsea district and walked a section of the highline, part of a disused railway which runs above the streets and is now a park.

They also had the chance to visit famous landmarks including the Empire State Building, Central Park, Times Square and the World Trade Centre memorial.

“Despite the temperatures dropping to minus 20 there were very few complaints, and the students acted as great ambassador s for the college,” added Andy.