My
name is Miranda Jones and whilst I attended TRC I completed the Fine Art
A-level in 2013.
After
leaving TRC I went straight to the University of Leeds to study Art and Design
(my first choice).
The program
at TRC definitely helped prepare me for my University course. Once I arrived at
University I was amazed at actually how much TRC had offered in terms of
techniques and mediums and how lucky we were as students to have the
opportunity to try out these things. I have met so many people who were stuck
doing paintings for their entire A-level. TRC and especially the teachers
helped so much in pushing me creatively and forcing me out of my comfort zone.
At the time this felt hard but it has been very rewarding and means that now I
can adapt to any brief or situation and come up with creative ideas that aren’t
just the obvious – great for university!
Within the
Art and Design course there are practical modules and then more academic
modules. For the first year the practical modules include studio based work
(self-explanatory), and a project based off campus at a place called Armely
Mills. At Armley mills we do a different
challenge every week such as a photography challenge or a sculpture challenge.
These challenges help us work towards a final piece that, at the end of the
semester, will be exhibited at Armely Mills (a bit like the journal and final
piece process at TRC). The academic modules include Fundamentals of Imaging and
the History and Theory of Art. For these subjects you write essays and read a
lot of books! It is intense but extremely worthwhile. The knowledge that you
gain from the academic side adds so much to your practical work.
Personally,
I chose this specific course because it had a mix of practical and academic
elements. I describe myself as an academic artist and enjoyed the structure
that this degree had to offer.
At the
moment I do not have any specific career aspirations. I believe that University
will help me explore my options in the visual arts career area. Though I do
know one thing, I don’t want to be an artist. It may sound strange but I’d much
rather work as a gallery curator or a pattern designer. With the course I’m on
it gives you the opportunity to take an industrial year, this is where you find
work placements (paid and voluntary) with companies. I am hoping to take this
industrial year as it is extremely successful in getting students jobs or at
least getting them contacts.
Here are
some pictures from a life drawing class I attend every week and some lino
prints I created from a workshop.
In
terms of outside projects, I am now a volunteer for a Visual Arts organisation
called Pavilion. Pavilion is based in Leeds and deals with contemporary art and
its politics. As a volunteer I help out at the exhibitions they put on (and
therefore learn invaluable skills about curatorship), get to meet their
visiting artists, help with school groups and give talks about the art on
display. It is a great opportunity to be part of the Leeds creative arts
society and looks amazing on my CV!
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