A series of creative workshops at a local college have proven so successful they will be running again after Easter.Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) is re-running the 5-week Creative Experience course starting with a FREE taster session on Tuesday 24 April from 6.30 – 8.30pm.
The course is designed to help local adults all ages and backgrounds to explore their creativity in a range of areas including Photography, Print and Visual Studies, Ceramics, Textiles and Fashion and 3D Craft and Jewellery Making. The course is flexible so adults can choose to focus on just one area or pick and mix the areas that interest the most.
We caught up with Barbara Millard, aged 58 from the Staffordshire Moorlands, who attended the course in January to find out what she enjoyed most about the course.
“Over recent years I have attended different courses on Silversmithing (at NULC), working with Precious Metal Clay and most recently glass fusing. I now have a small workshop in my garden with an electric kiln where I make bespoke glass pieces, examples of which are on my website www.barbaramillard.co.uk.”
“To run a website, or sell online, you need good photographs. Glass is a difficult subject to photograph easily and it was annoying, and time consuming always having to ask more accomplished photographers than myself to take photos for me to display my work. When I saw the “Creative Experience” series of short courses advertised I thought it might give me some tips, or inspire me to pursue photography further.”
“I know I am not the only person to be frustrated these days at the lack of opportunity to explore new hobbies, without committing yourself to a long, often expensive course, usually with some sort of assessment at the end of it. All we want is to be able to explore our creative side in the company of like-minded people where success can be celebrated and the inevitable “mistakes” are not an issue! Although I plumped for photography on this occasion, I had the opportunity to have a look at the other courses on offer and there was something for all tastes and level of experience. Also the tutors seemed more than willing to explore different tastes and tailor what they offered to the make up of the class.”
“The equipment in the classes was of a very high spec and in the photography class we not only got to use the studio with its amazing lighting setup, but also to use the photo editing software in the dedicated computer suite. So not only did I pick up some valuable tips in actually taking the photos, but also in enhancing them so that they are fit for purpose. It was also fun seeing what other students produced and also hearing their take on how they would present my work. The teaching was very interactive and great fun.”
“So what next? I need to practise what I have learnt and have already acquired a tripod to help me. I definitely feel more confident in my own photography skills and I am not intimidated by all the dials on my camera! I need to get some of my own pictures up on my website. “
“I would definitely recommend these courses to other people as a simple, low cost way to explore your creative side. You may find that, for example, you do not enjoy photography, but that actually you have a talent for printing or pottery. My fascination with glass started from seeing someone else’s work, wondering if I could do that and going on a short course. I was hooked. Creating your own stuff is challenging, relaxing, thought provoking, and you get to meet some interesting people along the way. I quite fancy ceramics next, but not sure I can afford yet another hobby........we shall see!”
For more information and to enroll, contact the Faculty of Art and Creative Studies on 01782 254323, email info@nulc.ac.uk or visit www.nulc.ac.uk/getcreative.
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