Live in Lockdown: Art Workshops

Although lockdown has seen us all revert back to working and learning from home, we have not let that get in the way of the incredible extras that we offer students outside of their regular lessons. It is hugely important to us that we are able to offer students a range of activities outside of the classroom, and whilst the facility to attend talks or go on trips and visits has been taken away for the time being, we have managed to create a wealth of virtual opportunities for students to enjoy and  engage with.

Our Art Department have recently held two such virtual sessions, with former students who are successfully using their Art and Design skills. Ashley Powell left Newman in 2019 after having completed the BTEC Art & Design. Ashley is currently in his second year studying Interior Design at Falmouth University. As part of his session, he shared with current students his advice for applying to university and preparing a portfolio, as well as his experience of university life.

He also showed them some fantastic and inspiring examples of his current work, explaining how he works through the design cycle from user research, developing floor plans and elevations, considering materiality and lighting, through to design proposal.

A further session was run by another former Newman Student, Emily Higham, who left Newman in 2012 and then graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in 2016, where she studied Jewellery and Silversmithing. Emily now has her own studio, where she makes jewellery, as well as being the current Art & Design Technician at Cardinal Newman College. Emily designs and makes contemporary colourful enamel jewellery, which is inspired by honeycomb. Emily has had lots of opportunities to exhibit her work in a wide variety of galleries all over the UK, including locally at the Harris Museum, to view some of her beautiful creations click here.