College holds annual art exhibition

Members of the public are invited to FEAST their eyes on a visual extravaganza as talented students from Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) showcase their creative designs.

The annual end-of-year exhibition is open to the public from Saturday 21 June to Saturday 28 June and is hosted at the College’s £60 million campus at Knutton Lane.

The annual event has risen in popularity over the years and welcomes hundreds of visitors, who are keen to discover the work of some of the most talented creative students in Staffordshire.

The exhibition, entitled FEAST, encompasses all creative subjects from the College’s Faculty of Academic and Creative Studies including fashion, film, illustration, 3D design, painting, ceramics, graphic design, media, music technology, photography, textiles and floristry.

Mike Kelly, Assistant Head of Faculty, Academic and Creative Studies at the College, said “Every year our staff and students work incredibly hard to showcase the very best on offer in new and innovative art and design practice.  It really is a visual feast. I would urge anyone who has an interest in the creative industries to come along, view the exhibition and perhaps even buy work from students who may well go on to be stars of the future.”

Particular highlights on display this year include stunning award-winning photography by A level student Danielle Cooper, and ‘The Packing Room’ - a ‘Scandi’ design group project by the College’s Foundation degree students.

The College has a national reputation for the quality of its art and creative courses and its many successful former students, including Oscar winning special effects director Pete Bebb, Esme Talbot who designs her own Potteries slogan based products and photographer Veronique de Viguerie who has travelled the world as a photo journalist for publications including ‘Paris Match’.

The College is also the only one in Staffordshire to launch its own town centre enterprise in the form of the M.A.D.E Here shop.  The shop provides students past and present with an opportunity to sell their products whilst gaining business and employability skills.

Exhibition opening times are available by visiting www.nulc.ac.uk/events 

There will also be the opportunity for visitors to the College’s Open Day on Saturday 21 June to view the exhibition from 10am – 12 noon.

For more details call 01782 254254, email info@nulc.ac.uk or visit www.nulc.ac.uk.

FEAST - Art Exhibition

Click the image below to view opening times.

 

Floristry students create display for Harley Davidson

On Saturday 25 January students studying Floristry at NULC attended a charity event at the Harley Davidson showroom in Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent.  This fundraiser was in aid of the Donna Louise Trust and two Floristry students created flower displays in the theme of the Harley Davidson corporate colours.   

Teresa Sinaguglia Level 3 and Deanne Perry were invited along to the presentation where they thoroughly enjoyed the day and gained valuable experience from this corporate opportunity through their work experience at Transform flowers.  

The students were made to feel very welcome and there were lots of positive comments about their displays from the visitors and members there.

This opportunity came about thanks to Mark Sutherland (Welding Dept at NULC). He very kindly purchased these flowers for the event, giving the students the brief on the colour scheme but allowing them to use their own creative skills and experience from their lessons and work experience at NULC.

To find out more about studying Floristry at NULC visit www.nulc.ac.uk or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or email info@nulc.ac.uk.

Floristry students St Valentine's Day video

Students studying Floristry at Newcastle-under-Lyme College created floral arrangements for Valentine’s Day.
The talented students showcased their skills by making floral arrangements and bouquets at the College’s M.A.D.E. Here shop in Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre where they were available to purchase by members of the public.
The initiative proved very popular as this Staffs Live video shows.


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.
Said Anthony Keates, Curriculum Manager for Floristry at the College: “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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
To pre-order a floral arrangement please call Transform Flowers on 01782 254306 on Thursdays and Fridays between 10.00am – 4.00pm.

Advice from Industry Leading Florists

Joseph Massie is one of the UK’s youngest creative florists using fresh flowers, plants and botanical materials. He has achieved world-wide recognition and praise for his creative skill and inspirational designs.

Jonathan Moseley has become one of the UK’s leading designers within the floral art world; being a NAFAS demonstrator he has aspired and entertained audiences and individuals with his love of flowers through demonstrations, workshops and classes.

Tracy Rowbottom is a NDSF, lecturer and a designer florist with over 20 years’ experience has built an enviable reputation based upon her professionalism, inspiration, creativity and attention to detail.

Laura Leong studied floristry at college alongside working in many stores as a retail florist, she has over 20 years’ experience within the industry.

When and how did you first enter into the world of floristry?

Joseph:  I first started in floristry aged fourteen having asked endless shops if they were hiring, I managed to gain a Saturday job at a local flower stall. It was there that I started working with flowers, and within six months, I knew I wanted to learn to design with flowers. It all started from there, right from that a little flower stall in Liverpool.

Jonathan: All my memories are of playing with flowers from such a young age and having a great love of working and designing with them. I worked in a flower shop from the age of 13 and the passion has remained with me ever since

Laura: I started aged eighteen, I went to work full time in a local shop as a retail florist and went to college one day a week studying floristry. An early success in a junior competition gave me the taste for it and I got ‘the bug’ for floristry competitions.

What achievement are you most proud of?

Joseph: I have been very lucky throughout my career in that I have had so many amazing experiences around the world. However I think that the personal achievements I’m most proud of would be the five consecutive RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medals, and the accompanying four Best In Show Awards are also incredibly special to me. Plus I have also got so many fun memories and made so many good fiends through these competitions – I smile every time I look at my medals.

Jonathan: I was extremely proud the very first time I ever demonstrated at the Chelsea Flower show, which is after all the Greatest Show on earth. Secondly (if I can have a second!) is designing the annual floral extravaganza which is Florabundance at Chastworth each year. I plan it with military precision and it utilises a florists essential skills of engineer, sculptor, designer, delegator and diplomat!

Tracy: All of my RHS Chelsea Medals but particularly my Gold Medal, which I won on my first visit to Chelsea as a competitor. My theme was the bicentenary of Haiti the first black free state!

Laura: I won Chelsea Florist of the Year for 2013 which was amazing, a real dream come true! I also had a wedding collection featured in the Fusion Flowers Wedding Magazine, this was a huge honour. I went to Belguim to decorate a room for the Fleuramour event at Alden Biesen so that was pretty exciting, and a rare and valued opportunity for a UK designer.

What advice do you have for somebody wanting to pursue a career in floristry?

Joseph: My best advice would be to invest in your education and not just the floristry skills and techniques. I would encourage new designers to seek out floral design courses that best suit them and their learning ability. Research the internet and visiting galleries/exhibitions for inspiration, immerse yourself into good design books and dive into the industry.

Jonathan: Remember that there isn’t just one path of getting into floristry but that it is strongly allied with fashion and trend so always be ready to embrace and appreciate new ideas and styles. You have to be multi dexterous in so many areas and able to cope with exceptionally long days, be warned Floristry does take over your life!

 Tracy: Get the appropriate training and involve yourself in the industry, be open with other florists and share information.

Laura: Yes try to get good diverse experience within a range of different types of business, practice a lot, and go to college alongside having industrial experience. Try floristry competitions it’s great fun planning and designing and you learn lots from the experience too!

Lastly, Enjoy it! It’s a great trade and an honour to work with flowers every day.

To read the full interviews visit the Country Baskets website.

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.