Making a speech about it....

So last Wednesday I attended a lecture on 'What is an art school?' There was a seminar afterwards and were asked to write what we thought an art school should be. So here's my thoughts...

An art school should teach you new techniques that you might never of thought about or you thought might be too hard (when really, they're pretty easy). Critical advice should be given on how to improve one's work, if needed. Students should be introduced to equipment that they have never heard of, in order to expand their knowledge. Students should feel inspired in many ways, by different things. Teachers should talk about different artists and designers, both well-known and not so, in order to show pupils the variety of art in the world. Students should be given help to find opportunities where they can showcase their work or acquire work experience with a well-known artist or designer. Fair boundaries, deadlines and rules should be set. Pupils should be able to have the freedom to express themselves through both their work and voice. Different styles of painting, drawing, designing and making should be taught, so that students can show an ability to learn and change. Both traditional and modern techniques should be taught. Help must be given when students need it. The environment should be friendly and relaxed to prevent arguments and stress. Information should be provided in a way that one can "take it in" and not be confused by it. A variety of young people must be educated at art schools, no matter what social class they belong to, and how much money their family has. It is about how much passion they have for the subject, and how much it means to them...

Moving on to a completely different subject, on Monday I used the photos from the Colchester town trip in a different way that last time. I ended up creating "fashion drawings" inspired by the structures of the different buildings, statues, etc. I must admit though, they didn't turn out quite as cool as these...