Creative minds come together at NULC

Earlier this year Newcastle-under-Lyme College hosted a fantastic Art Taster Day where students from Discovery Academy, Sandon Business, Enterprise and Arts College and Wolstanton High School were invited to try out various Art sessions.

Year 11 pupils from Discovery Academy took part in a Digital Photography session where they were put into groups and given a high-tech camera to use their imagination- with the help of the College's top-of-the-range facilities.  

Simone Newton enjoyed learning how to use the cameras like professionals and the pupils were also given tips on how to use various surfaces and lighting to create different photographs. The pupils were then able to edit the photos using Adobe Photoshop in the College's Digital Photography Suite.

In the afternoon the Discovery Academy pupils got to experience a Fashion lesson and learnt how to make Suffolk Puffs. The students were taught different techniques and styles that they would then take with them to help towards their GCSE Art projects. Jasmin Holiday commented: “I really enjoyed the Fashion taster and I hope to do this in September.”

Pupils from Sandon Business, Enterprise and Arts College also enjoyed a Photography session using the Dark Room to produce black and white images. This was a new experience for the Year 11 pupils and so they were given instructions on how to use the equipment and use different objects and materials to create interesting photograms.

Chloe Tallent loved how interactive and creative the session was and all of the students commented, what they had learnt would be beneficial towards their Art GCSE. The students also created wire models, during their 3D Design session, that they would be able to use in their school projects. The pupils were firstly shown the best techniques to enable them to use their imagination and be creative in their designs. They were then left to create their own 3D Designs using wire and different materials. All of the pupils commented that it was something they haven’t had the chance to try before and they would love to have a go again.

A group of Year 10 Wolstanton High School pupils had a great morning in the Ceramics Workshop learning how to make different objects with the clay provided. Chloe Welsh said: “The session was ace, the teacher (NULC Art Lecturer Laura Beech) was very kind and helpful.”

The students were given tips on different techniques but were left to create their own designs to be later glazed and fired by NULC’s Art Technicians and given to the School, where they are proudly presented in their Reception area.

After dinner, the Wolstanton High pupils got stuck into their Textiles session where they used lots of different materials and created various designs for a taster in Print making using the Heat Press. Mrs Henshall commented that the tasters were excellent and the students had an outstanding day.

If you are a teacher and you would like to bring a group of students to a taster session at Newcastle-under-Lyme College, please contact the School Liaison Team: Gareth and Tara on 01782 254347 or email schools@nulc.ac.uk.