Exhibition marks breakthrough year for students
HAVING finished off all the final touches in time, Lochgilphead’s art and design students have put together a public exhibition showcasing their work.
The exhibition at the Argyll College centre in Lochgilphead displays selected pieces from the students’ studies over the past academic year, which ranges from painting and life drawing to photography and clothing design.
At a private opening last Friday, an eager crowd gathered to get a first glimpse of the finished pieces as the college centre on Lorne Street was transformed into a vibrant art gallery.
After a hectic few days to prepare for the opening, tutor Cate McKillop said: ‘It has been intense but well organised. Everyone on the course gets along so well and the group’s hard work in preparing for the opening has been symbolic of the whole year. The admin staff at the college have been pivotal and without them we wouldn’t have got the exhibition finished in time.’
The exhibition is all the more impressive considering that this is the first time an art and design course has been run at the Argyll College branch of the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Reflecting on the end of this inaugural year, tutor Lesley Burr said: ‘It’s great to be able to offer artistic training to people living locally. It gives people options to study here, even just as a stepping stone.
‘Argyll has a strong creative community but there has been a teaching gap up until now.’
The trio of tutors – Lesley, Cate and Tamsyn – will begin teaching again in August for a more advanced level of study from last year.
‘We’re definitely looking forward to next year,’ Cate commented, ‘especially with so many students continuing to study with us next year and moving up a level.’
Having been open to the public all week, the exhibition closes today, Friday June 23, at 5pm.
For more information on the SCQF Art and Design Portfolio course, visit the Argyll College website or drop in to the centre in Lochgilphead.