Art and Design

Overview

The Art Department is strongly committed to giving students a broad experience of a range of visual arts, crafts and design disciplines and aims to provide a stimulating and dynamic learning experience for all students. Students are offered an innovative approach to making artwork which involves both traditional and experimental exploration of materials, concepts and techniques. Stimulating creativity and thought beyond the curriculum is also an important focus for the department. We encourage students to enter local and national competitions and embed visits and trips to museums and galleries and local places of interests into the curriculum. We have strong links with local art organisations such as The Burngate Stone Carving Centre and Purbeck Arts Week and students have opportunities to work with local artists and designers and to have their work displayed and celebrated. 

Students learn in mixed ability groups and are encouraged to learn and develop basic skills including personal learning and thinking skills. Students learn the basic language of design (line, shape, pattern, colour, form etc) and are introduced to relevant historical and cultural references. Art projects include landscape painting, portraiture, abstract art, tie-dyeing, weaving, fashion illustration and shoe design & making.