Dundee’s marmalade history celebrated in Masters Show 2025 as students prepare to open exhibition

An interactive virtual game inspired by Dundee’s famous marmalade connection, which allows players to explore the city in the 1800s, will be on display to the public next week.

The game is just one of 84 individual degree shows at the University of Dundee’s Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design’s Masters Show 2025, open to the public from 23-31 August.

Created by MA Animation & VFX student Lorena Welsing, the 2D game allows players to visit historic landmarks such as the Royal Arch and Dundee’s port at a time when it was a centre for global trade in jute, as well as landmarks which still stand today.

Players can also make a virtual batch of marmalade, based on a James Keiller & Son’s recipe from the 1800s, while learning about the history of the creation of the world-renowned company.

Lorena, who moved to Dundee from Germany to study at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design (DJCAD), said, “Growing up, I used to help my mum make her own jams and marmalades from scratch, something that I look back on and remember quite fondly.

“I always considered the process to be quite fun and relaxing and getting to taste the finished jam always felt rewarding.

“I hope that my game might just inspire someone to try it out for themselves and allow them to experience the joy of making and tasting fresh, homemade marmalade.”

Inspired by interactive game displays that can be found in museums and exhibitions, Lorena uses her game to combine entertainment and education of the city’s marmalade journey.

Her work with its unique visual style has been selected to promote Masters Show 2025 and features on the marketing materials and banners outside DJCAD.

She added, “I am incredibly thrilled that my work was chosen to showcase this year’s exhibition.

“I am so excited to see all the amazing projects everyone’s been working on this year displayed during the show.”

Diverse range of work exhibited at DJCAD's Masters Show 2025

Students from 10 different Masters programmes will exhibit work, including fine art, product design, curatorial practice, medical art, forensic art and facial imaging.

Professor Anita Taylor, Dean of DJCAD, said, “We are delighted to share and celebrate the creativity and excellence of all of our postgraduate students with our professional communities, industry, friends, families, and to open our doors to the public.

“Our distinctive portfolio of Masters’ degrees enables our students to develop their individual passions and talents in and through art, design, science and technology.

“Presented in our studios as well as the Cooper Gallery, the Masters Show provides a unique opportunity to explore and enjoy the innovative, imaginative and inspiring work made by each of our 84 students during an intensive year of postgraduate study supported by our distinguished faculty in Art and Design.”

The Masters Show 2025 is open daily from 23-31 August between 10am-4pm, with a late opening on Thursday 28 August, to 8pm.