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| ‘Insect Form’ by Christine Hurford, who has benefited from an art access scheme. |
The University of Cumbria is offering four local artists the opportunity to make free use of its extensive woodwork, jewellery, textiles, printmaking and ceramics facilities, thanks to the Artists Access to Art Colleges (AA2A) project.
Through this scheme, each artist/maker can apply for 100 hours of access to workshops and supporting areas at campuses in Carlisle or Lancaster, from October 2010 to March 2011. Students will work alongside the artists to gain a valuable insight into the art world outside university.
AA2A is a national set of schemes which give artists the chance to undertake a project or research using workshop and supporting facilities in fine art and design departments of higher and further education institutions. It enables artists to use equipment that might not otherwise to available to them and benefits the institution by bringing in ideas and techniques which may not otherwise enter the education environment.
The University of Cumbria is one of only 31 colleges and universities across England that has been successful in its application to host an Artists Access scheme.
Christine Hurford, one of the artists to benefit from the scheme last year, and felt it helped her adjust to living in the area.
“I had not been living in Cumbria very long and was feeling rather isolated before applying and being accepted onto the AA2A scheme,” she says. ” It was great to be back in a university environment and I was made very welcome. The students were all around me I could talk to them easily and they could see what I was doing as well. I decided to experiment with unusual clays, different combinations and glazes to improve the textures on my work, something I could not easily do in my studio.
“I had plenty of time to think, and I was able to experiment with plaster and graphite,” she adds. “It also led to a burst of creativity as I knew I had to make the most of my time there.
“Since I completed my time on the scheme I have been very busy using some of the work I started and ideas that have developed from it. I am working in a new direction on historical sites and soon have exhibitions locally and in Manchester.
“I would recommend the AA2A scheme to any artist give it a go, ” she enthuses. “You never know what will happen; it might change you and if not it will certainly contribute to improving your work.”
“I mostly work as a graphic designer, and I use computer software to make visual decisions quickly and flexibly,” says Andi Chapple, another of last year’s artists. “I applied to use the screen printing facilities at the University of Cumbria’s Lancaster campus, because I thought it wasn’t a big conceptual step from the methods I am used to.
“I”ve learnt a lot about the craft of screen printing from the University’s print technician and lecturers and have made four series of prints over the past six months. I feel lucky to have been given the opportunity to thrash about long enough to come up with something that is maybe a bit more than a beginner’s piece and I was also asked to give a talk to students and staff, which made me think about what I had been doing.
“I have had excellent conversations with teachers, technicians and students, and people looked after me despite the pressures they have been under. ”
• The closing date for applications is Friday 10 September 2010. To get an application pack contact Karen Graham or Steve Minto on 01228 888745 or email races@cumbria.ac.uk
• For more information about AA2A, visit their website at www.aa2a.org or www.aa2a.biz