Creative college
Meet Lochgilphead’s first set of art graduates
AFTER eight months of painting, printing, sketching and sculpting, students at Lochgilphead’s Argyll College centre are nearing the end of the inaugural art and design portfolio course.
Established in September last year, the college-certificated course gives students the chance to experience a variety of art disciplines, exploring everything from watercolour painting and illustrations to sculptures and photography.
A tight-knit trio of art tutors – Lesley Burr, Cate McKillop and Tamsyn Taylor – set up the course in Lochgilphead after becoming frustrated by the lack of teaching in the area.
Cate, who travels from Campbeltown to teach at the centre in Lochgilphead, explains: ‘It all started from the fact that there were no art classes anywhere between Southend and Oban, and I suppose this course is a reaction to that.
‘There was plenty of interest, which is evident in the diverse range of students we have here – school leavers, retirees or people just reigniting their interest in art.’
This year has been somewhat of a barometer for the tutors since the course is the only one of its kind in the Argyll College branch of the University of the Highlands. After a fruitful debut year, however, Cate is confident that students will continue to develop their skills at the centre in Lochgilphead.
‘Our first year has absolutely been a success,’ Cate continued, ‘and we had an external verification recently that gave us a spot on review. The idea is progression. Right now we’re running a level five course but a lot of the students will be continuing on to a higher level next year and we’re going to help them do so.’
The students will be exhibiting pieces from their portfolios at the centre in Lochgilphead, which will be open to the public from Monday June 19 to Friday June 23.
For more information on the SCQF art and design portfolio course, visit the Argyll College website or drop in to the centre in Lochgilphead.