Art

Level 2 Art and Design students at Llwyn y Bryn recently took part in a two day workshop with artist Mary Doherty as part of the Reaching Wider programme.

The group explored printmaking, using soft cut vinyl and collograph printing, and experimented with materials and surfaces linking their research to design. They also produced prints of varying sizes and styles, which will enhance their coursework for their qualification.

"It was a creative and lively workshop which captured the students' imagination and gave them more experience of the medium," says tutor Marilyn Jones. 

The Reaching Wider programme enables students to work with artists in community settings.

Gower College Swansea’s popular Access to Art and Design programme is moving to new premises.

From September 2012, the part time course will be hosted at the Canolfan Gorseinon Centre, which offers excellent purpose designed art studios.

The course - which includes drawing and painting, art history, digital photography, glass and textiles - is aimed at students aged 19+ who do not already have Level 3 qualifications.

“Access programmes equip students with the skills necessary to apply for university in their chosen subject,” says lecturer Maggie Carr. “Past students have progressed onto Degree programmes in subjects including fine art, art history, glass, photography, multimedia and textiles. Others have followed an entrepreneurial path and have started their own businesses within the arts.”

Current student Rebecca has just received an unconditional offer from Swansea Metropolitan University to study the BA (Hons) Fine Art (Combined Media.) Rebecca was unemployed before signing up to the Access course but now has ambitions to build a career as an artist.

Her classmate Sharron, who previously worked as a support worker for people with learning disabilities, plans to work as a freelance 3D designer while continuing to study ceramics.

Access courses are assessed via coursework, sketchbooks, written essays, research projects and presentations.

For more information please contact Canolfan Gorseinon Centre on 01792 894363. 

Art and Design students from Gower College Swansea are supporting a local community event next week.

‘Spring Into Action’ is taking place at Sketty Methodist Church on 16 March.

The students, from the Llwyn y Bryn campus, are displaying works of fine art painting, print, ceramics and sculpture, all responding to the ‘Spring into Action’ theme and some specifically celebrating Wales and being Welsh.

“A mix of age groups have been involved in this project, including students from the Extended Diploma Art and Design and Access to Art and Design,” says lecturer Mike Murray. “We have really enjoyed working together to support this event.”

‘Spring Into Action’ will celebrate creativity in the community and features art and craft work from local schools, colleges and church groups. There is also a live music performance and information stalls from the emergency services and local library services.

Admission is free between 11am and 3pm.

In the evening there will be a performance of popular Spanish guitar music by Russell Lloyd. This begins at 7pm and admission is £5, including refreshments.

Students at Llwyn y Bryn are looking forward to a visit from renowned multimedia artist and author Tracey Moberly.

Welsh-born Tracey, who is now based in London, will deliver a lecture on her work, methods and processes, followed by tutorials with students on the Art and Design BTEC Foundation Diploma course.

Known as a socio-political artist, Tracey graduated from the University of Wales, Newport with a First in Art and Design before building a career encompassing political activism, photography, textiles and mobile technology.

Tracey is currently receiving global coverage for her book Text Me Up!, which is based on SMS text messages she has sent and received since 1999.  She works with, and has collaborated with, the likes of Banksy, Pete Doherty and Bill Drummond.

“We are delighted to welcome Tracey back to Llwyn y Bryn,” says course coordinator Elinor Franklin. “She is an extremely important artist who uses a wide range of media to create fascinating pieces of work. Tracey’s story is an inspirational one and I’m sure our students will take a lot away from the tutorials.”

The Art and Design BTEC Foundation Diploma course, which is new to Llwyn y Bryn, encourages students to explore their talents in fine art, visual communication, fashion and textiles, 3D, photography and video.

Related links:

Tracey Moberly

An ex-student of Gower College Swansea, now a prize winning artist, has returned to the college to donate an oil painting.

Richard O’Connell attended the then-Swansea College of Further Education in the 1960s when it was based in Somerset Place.

“During my time at the college I gained sufficient qualifications to move onto art schools in Swansea, Norwich and Oxford and make a worthwhile career as a professional artist and teacher,” explains Richard, who was born in Mumbles. ”By donating this painting, I feel I am giving something back to the college as a token of my appreciation."

The painting, entitled ‘The Swimmers,’ depicts a coastal scene showing Swansea Bay and Mumbles Head. The vibrant colours of the painting are suggestive of heat, intensity and movement and the painting itself is a metaphor for making a journey and having obstacles to overcome.

“The college is delighted to accept this painting from Richard and I’m sure it will interest and inspire our current art students,” says Principal Nick Bennett, who intends to display ‘The Swimmers’ at the Llwyn y Bryn campus.

Richard has participated in arts events across the UK. His work has also been purchased and exhibited in various public buildings including the National Waterfront Museum and Balliol College, Oxford University.

Related links:
www.axisweb.org/artist/richard-oconnell

Art and Design students from Gower College Swansea spent time with award-winning artist Simon Fenoulhet this week. Simon visited Llwyn y Bryn where he took ‘Transformation: Installation and Light’ workshops with the students. An artist who plays with our preconceptions of the material world, Simon skilfully manipulates everyday objects with unexpected outcomes. The recurrent theme is one of transformation, representing the familiar in ways which cause us to change the way we look at the world. Simon won the Fine Art Gold medal at the 2010 National Eisteddford. “This was a fantastic, one-off opportunity for our students to work with a successful and well known artist,” says Assistant Director of Faculty Diane Williams. “They really enjoyed meeting Simon and found the whole experience inspiring.” “The students worked with a variety of materials, designing and constructing pieces ranging from webs, hangings and zoetropes,” adds lecturer Marilyn Jones. “They had to work in teams and evaluate the whole process. Outcomes were creative and exciting, opening up avenues to the art and design world including stage design, lighting and alternative use of space for exhibitions.” Related links www.simonfenoulhet.co.uk