Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Mari Quinn
A creative Airdrie mum was crowned HNC art and design student of the year at New College L a n a r k s h i r e ’s Coatbridge campus.
Mari Quinn, 40, was stunned to scoop the prize at the college’s annual art and design exhibition as she only recently returned to college life following 13 years as a full-time mum to her two children, much of which was spent living in Australia.
But after coming back home from Down Under Mari has boomeranged her way into the hearts and minds of college bosses.
The mum-of-two said: “I didn’t expect this for a minute so I was really shocked to win.
“My piece in the exhibition is dressmaking but I like doing everything so I haven’t really got to the point where I can focus on one particular thing.
“I’m going on to do the HND course. I am just hoping for the best and will see where it takes me in life.”
The third annual exhibition, held in Coatbridge, brought together work by more than 90 students enrolled in courses ranging from leisure to HND level at the college’s Coatbridge, Cumberna u l d and Kirkintilloch campuses.
The showcase featured artworks in a variety of media including painting, s c u l p t u re, d e s i g n , photography, tattoo art and graphic novel illustration.
It aimed to give students valuable skills in curation and exhibition installation, as well as providing an
“The end- of- y e a r exhibition is a culmination of all the students’ hard work, allowing them to showcase their skills to their family, friends, local businesses and wider public.
“As an art i s t o r designer you put your heart and soul into your work and to show it to the public is both nerve- racking and exhilarating all at the same time.
“Nothing beats the buzz of the opening night of an exhibition and we want all our students to experience that.”
Applications are open for the college’s art and design courses starting in August. To apply visit www.nclanarkshire.ac.uk/ courses/art-and-design or call 0300 555 8080.