New facilities are more than just an artist’s impression
9 June 2006
The North Wales School of Art and Design based on NEWI’s Regent Street campus has undergone massive development and is now catering for all the art and design students across a wide range of disciplines on one dedicated site.
Over half a million has been invested in the building development and on new state-of the art equipment. The new buildings cover 526m² and the design and plans were a collaborative effort by art and design staff and technicians. New areas include: wood workshops; design areas; ceramics workshops including glazing areas and pottery workstations; jewellery and metal workshops incorporating kiln rooms; welding bays and an external working area with lean to canopy which provides a space for welding. The development had been purpose built with every detail carefully thought through and planned to ensure the very best space, lighting and facilities for the students and staff who work in it.
The ceramics department has already moved in to its modern new building which houses 20 brand new work benches and 6 pottery wheels. Mallem Foulds, a second year student said “It is a really nice set-up, it’s comfortable and the new machines are excellent. On normal wheels you put your foot down and can go too fast. These new machines run at a steady pace once set and the seating is perfect!”
Lecturer John McClenaghen is thrilled with the improvements and believes having all the art and design courses based in one location adds to the atmosphere and encourages creativity, “The school is back on a single site, animators rub shoulders with fine artists; ceramicists work alongside glass artists and graphic designers. There is so much going on here, it is a fantastic environment to work and study in.”
The final year degree show in June at the North Wales School of Art & Design show cased the students work within the new buildings and attracted visitors from throughout the local area. Work on display was outstanding and ranged from traditional pieces to the groundbreaking and innovative. The show is always a highlight in the NEWI calendar and this year was no exception with examples of outstanding work being shown. Alec Shepley, Principal Lecturer at the North Wales School of Art and Design, said, “It has been an excellent show. Amongst those exhibiting are a number of students who have won very prestigious awards, the standard of the work is exceptional and it has been fantastic to see so much of it on display. We were also all very proud that the show was officially opened by Estelle Thompson, an internationally renowned British abstract painter who is currently a visiting Professor at NEWI.”
In fact the work has been of such high quality that once again talent scouts from Cosgrove Hall Film Studios in Manchester have been to appraise the students’ animation work with a view to offering them future employment. Cosgrove Hall Film Studios have produced many famous animations including Dangermouse and Wind in the Willows.
For anyone who missed the show a selection of work from students graduating from the BA (Hons) Fine Art degree course at the North East Wales School of Art this summer will be on display at the, Wrexham Library & Arts Centre, Rhosddu Road, Wrexham, 24 June - 15 July 2006.