Creative students display floral gifts for Valentine’s Day

Students studying Floristry at Newcastle-under-Lyme College will be creating floral arrangements for Valentine’s Day.

The talented students will be showcasing their skills by making floral arrangements and bouquets at the College’s M.A.D.E. Here shop in Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre on Thursday 13 February.  The beautiful arrangements will then be available to purchase by members of the public in time for Valentine’s Day.

Anthony Keates, Curriculum Manager for Floristry at the College, said: “Members of the public can come along on the day, meet staff and students and take a look at the skills needed for Floristry before leaving with a professional standard floral arrangement for a loved one at a reduced cost.”
The College expanded its vocational provision and introduced Floristry to the curriculum in 2012. Students are taught in the College’s Transform Flowers Shop which is open to staff, students and members of the public every Thursday and Friday during term time.

Orders can also be placed prior to Valentine’s Day by calling the College’s Transform Flowers Shop on Thursday and Friday between 10.00am and 4.00pm.

Anthony continued: “Opportunities like this allow our students to develop the essential employability skills including customer service, cash handling and communication skills which are needed in the work place.”

The College offers full-time courses for school leavers as well as part-time evening courses for adults in Floristry.  To find out more about studying Floristry at Newcastle-under-Lyme College visit www.nulc.ac.uk or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or email info@nulc.ac.uk.

The following items will be available to purchase at M.A.D.E. Here and Transform Flowers on Thursday 13 February.

A single red rose gift wrapped: £2.50
A dozen red roses in an aqua pack in Valentines theme: £35
Two dozen roses (available upon request): £65
Half dozen roses in an aqua pack in Valentines theme: £20
There will be various floral gifts suitable for every budget.

To pre-order a floral arrangement please call Transform Flowers on 01782 254306 on Thursdays and Fridays between 10.00am – 4.00pm.

Competition winners announced

The winners of a competition to celebrate Laura Ashley' 60th anniversary have been announced.

1st Prize- Emma Harvey
2nd Prize – Emily Billings
3rd Prize – Princess Dumatol

In the competition, judged by Gilli Craig, Manager of the Newcastle-under-Lyme Laura Ashley store, the students created three accessories: a neck scarf, head scarf and tote fabric bag using a variety of printing techniques including heat transfer, heat press printing, stenciling and surface design. The students’ accessories are being displayed and sold at the College’s M.A.D.E here shop as part of a ‘Floral abundance’ exhibition.

Students compete for design prize

Fashion students at Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) are competing to follow in Laura Ashley’s footsteps in a competition celebrating the top designer’s 60th anniversary.

Students studying the Extended Diploma in Fashion were tasked with a five week live brief project inspired by ‘natural forms’ and Autumn 2013 fashion trends. The students created three accessories: a neck scarf, head scarf and tote fabric bag using a variety of printing techniques including heat transfer, heat press printing, stencilling and surface design.

Jay Dyer, Curriculum Leader for Fashion at NULC, said: “Projects like this allow the students to gain the essential skills needed in the fashion industry.  They’re given a brief which they then need to see through from inception to completion; they’re tasked with designing, creating samples and exhibiting the final garments all within a set time frame and then being judged by industry professionals.”

The students’ designs will be judged by Gilli Craig, Manager of the Newcastle-under-Lyme Laura Ashley store.  Laura Ashley is celebrating its 60th anniversary and the student design project links to the famous Laura Ashley ‘Pelham scarf’.   The Pelham scarf is a hand printed scarf and the first design by Laura Ashley made on her kitchen table in 1953. The ‘Pelham scarf’ is back in store to mark the 60th year anniversary of the iconic designer.

The students’ designs will be exhibited at the College’s M.A.D.E here shop where Gilli Craig will judge the student work and choose a winning design.  Gilli will announce the winning design at the M.A.D.E here shop during a small celebration event on Friday 22 November at 10am.
Jay added: “We’re delighted that Laura Ashley wanted to be involved in the project and acknowledge the importance of supporting young up and coming fashion designers.”

The work will remain on display at the College’s M.A.D.E here shop in Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre during the town’s Christmas Light Switch On this weekend with a selection of items available to purchase.

M.A.D.E Here, which stands for Media, Art and Design Enterprise, is situated in the Lancaster Buildings opposite the Guildhall in Newcastle town centre.  The shop features authentic handmade gifts, artwork and bespoke products from students, artists and makers connected to the College.  M.A.D.E here is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 10.00am – 4.30pm and Thursday to Saturday 10.00am – 5.00pm.

To find out more about M.A.D.E here visit www.nulc.ac.uk/madehere or search for shopmadehere on Facebook and Twitter.

Students to rejuvenate children’s centre

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) students have been tasked with providing designs to rejuvenate the children’s centre courtyard at the University Hospital North Staffordshire (UHNS).

A group of students studying both the Level 3 Diploma in Art and Design and the Foundation degree in Contemporary Art Practice have provided designs to the UHNS.  The brief was to make the courtyard more vibrant and interesting, particularly to those children who have long stays on the wards surrounding the space.

The students visited the site on a number of occasions to take measurements and interview staff and patients to get their views on how best to redesign the courtyard.  The students then presented their ideas to a number of NHS Trust members and staff in October and UHNS are now in discussions with construction company Laing to find out how any of the designs may be used.

Deb Hilditch, Curriculum Manager Art and Creative Studies at NULC, said: “Live briefs provide fantastic work experience for students, especially from large well known organisations. They really help prepare students for employment once they progress from their course.  This brief is also a very rewarding project to be involved in.”

NULC offers BTEC Level 3 Extended Diplomas in Art & Design, Graphics & Interactive Media, Fashion and Photography, Music Technology.  NULC offers Foundation degrees in Contemporary Art Practice, Digital Media Production, Graphics and Digital Design, and Music Technology.

If you are interested in applying for an Art & Design course at Newcastle-under-Lyme College please visit www.nulc.ac.uk, call 01782 254254 or email info@nulc.ac.uk.

Movember arrives at NULC

Students from Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) will be donning their moustaches for an event in aid of Movember on Friday 8 November at 12noon.

Kyle Yeo, aged 20 from Market Drayton is in his final year studying the Foundation degree (Fd) in Graphic Design at NULC.  Kyle explains what will be happening during the day: “I’ve set up a photography studio in the Food Hall where staff and students will be able to have a professional photograph taken wearing fake and comical moustaches for a small donation.”

Kyle has also gained the support of fellow students studying Music Technology who will be providing both pre recorded and live music sets at the event and students studying the Fd in Digital Media Production will be filming the event.

Kyle added: “The photographs and film will help to raise awareness of Movember and essential funds for men’s health charities including Prostrate Cancer UK.”

The former Madeley High School pupil explains why he organized the event: “The event will give me plenty of photos that can be used as part of my portfolio and also gaining necessary photography experience as well as event organisation skills.”
 
During November staff and students at the College will be organising a range of events to raise money for Movember.  The next planned event is ‘Move for Movember’ an 80’s themed Boxercise class at the Gordon Banks Sports Centre on Tuesday 26 November. 

To find out more about university level courses at NULC visit www.nulc.ac.uk//he or contact 01782 254254 or info@nulc.ac.uk.

Jewellery designer Alexandra Wise can turn the contents of skip into something beautiful

Check out this article on from The Sentinel website featuring former Newcastle-under-Lyme College student Alexandra Wise.

Alexandra studied the Foundation degree in Contemporary Art Practice at NULC and completed her studies in September 2013, she now designs her own jewellery collections.

Read the full article by clicking here.

Staffordshire Saxon Premiere

Former NULC creative student and award-winning film maker Chris Stone has produced a film inspired by the Staffordshire Hoard.

 The Last Dragon Hunter – a 30-minute short film based on the 'Staffordshire Saxon' – will premiere tomorrow at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Hanley.

Since leaving NULC Chris has been involved in the NULC Heatwave Film Festival, where he has sat on the panel of judges.

Click here to read more on The Sentinel.

Creative students showcase designs at Ceramics 2013 launch

Creative students from Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) continued to develop their links with the British Ceramics Biennial (BCB).

Students studying the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design and Extended Diploma in Art and Design (Year 2) successfully collaborated with BCB with the work of  fashion and 3D design specialist students being showcased at the BCB launch night at the China Hall, Spode on Friday 27 September. 

Current Foundation Diploma students and EDAD2 students volunteered to model the garments at the private view and received lots of interest from the public. 

Cheryl Smith, Course Leader for the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, was interviewed by Radio Stoke and discussed the importance of continuing education within the field of ceramics at a noted time of the revival of ceramic production within Stoke-on-Trent.

Work produced by two of the 3D specialist students, Philippa Read (Foundation Diploma) and Liz Arnold (Extended Diploma in Art and Design) is being exhibited for the duration of the Biennial and can be seen on show in the main China Hall Gallery. 

Over the coming weeks all art and design students from the Faculty of Art and Creative Studies will be visiting the exhibition.

To find out more about studying Art and Design at NULC click here or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or email info@nulc.ac.uk.
 

Students meet UK design expert

Students from Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) had exclusive access to design expert Wayne Hemingway, Red or Dead founder, at Ceramics 2013.

A group of students studying the Foundation degree (Fd) in Contemporary Art Practice at NULC attended the Ceramics industry showcase where they were invited to their own question and answer session with the designer.

Widely regarded as an influential figure in modern British design, Hemingway began with fashion label Red or Dead before founding Hemingway Design, which allowed him to branch out into varied aspects of design, including ceramics.

Amy Davies, NULC Curriculum Leader for the Foundation degree in Contemporary Art Practice, said: “The students found the question and answer session incredibly rewarding and returned to college inspired to succeed.”

Amy continued: “Here at NULC we’re dedicated to providing our students with outstanding opportunities to meet industry professionals and gain employability skills. This sets them apart from their contemporaries when starting their careers.”

NULC provides a range of university level courses in partnership with Staffordshire University. Courses are available to study full-time and part-time and are taught in the College’s bespoke University Centre at the College’s £60 million campus.

Ceramics 2013 took place on Thursday 26 September and adopted ‘Made in the UK’ as this year’s design theme. The show brought together companies from across the industry and its supply chain to celebrate success stories, and to provide a key networking opportunity.

To find out more about the range of university level courses available at Newcastle-under-Lyme College visit www.nulc.ac.uk/he or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or email  info@nulc.ac.uk.

Newcastle to New York!

Former NULC Graphics student, George Myers, has seen his work showcased at one of New York’s most famous buildings, Grand Central Station.  

The cutting edge ‘3D’ animations promoting the UK's own Financial Times had commuters stopping in their tracks to take in these site specific adverts.  George, now an established editorial illustrator whose clients have included The Guardian and Financial Times, worked flat out on the project for a month but is understandably thrilled with the results and critical reaction.

During his fours years at the College, George studied the National Diploma in Visual Communication and A Level Graphics where he achieved an A grade, before progressing to study a Foundation degree with NULC. 

Mike Kelly, Assistant Head Of NULC Sixth Form, is delighted to see a  former student excelling.  Mike said: “ George was very quiet as a student but obviously had the quality of ideas and drawing skills to excel. It’s incredibly rewarding for the staff who taught George to see him fulfilling his potential in such a spectacular arena.”

Click here to visit George's website or to view a short film of the Grand Central Station installation click here.


To find out more about the range of A Level courses available at NULC visit www.nulc.ac.uk or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or email info@nulc.ac.uk.