EKC Dover College: Where students feel inspired to explore all angles of the art world
As you step into the art studio, a hushed stillness fills the air, broken only by the soft sounds of brushes on canvas and the focused murmurs of budding artists immersed in their creative process.
In this space, the students of the Art and Design course at EKC Dover College have the freedom to explore their artistic expression, choosing subjects that resonate deeply with them.
From detailed sketches to striking photography, vibrant graphic design to textured paintings, there are no boundaries to the creativity these artists are encouraged to explore.
Just some of the topics being explored by learners on the Level 3 Art and Design course include mental health, identity, media and advertising and family.
Ruby’s project is about identity and draws on her Turkish heritage. She has used an innovative technique to transfer photos she has taken of the mountains in Turkey onto textured backgrounds.
She explained: “I have transferred them onto different things such as wood and canvases, stuck them down with Mod Podge, then I got the paper off the back with water, so it transfers the picture.
“Some of the images have imperfections, so I’ve painted over them in red to represent the Turkish flag.
“Before I started the course, I didn't know that I could do this. I've been taught different things. I also have the ability to do it because we have more things that I didn't have at home and the help from the teachers.”
It’s this creative freedom that Ruby feels has truly allowed her to flourish.
Meanwhile, her peer Amy has taken a different approach to her project and created a zine, which is a collection of art and writing exploring the theme of family.
“We’ve had workshops and creative cafes where we get to try different methods and materials, which is really cool,” Amy said.
George has created an abstract piece, which started with a simple photo of an eye.
“In my first year, we did a zine workshop, and I’ve been hooked ever since.”
Her zine is a vibrant fusion of different artistic methods. Each page tells a unique story, with a poem bringing the piece together and capturing the emotion within the piece.
“There’s a lot of freedom here,” Amy added.
“We get to choose our own topics and decide how we want to use the facilities at College. I think this experience has really set us up for life beyond College because the environment here is so professional.”
When it came to showcasing the topic of mental health, George was keen to tell a story.
“These are photographs of my eye which I've edited,” George explained.
“I wanted it to look really weird and distorted and tell a story. I want to be able to show the reality of it [mental health] and the way it can change your life.
“I've had a lot of personal struggles myself – I have depression, and I have a disorder called Generalised Anxiety Disorder.
“Over the past two years of this course, I've spoken about different sections of my life, and this is one that I definitely wanted to cover.
“The limits are endless. Anything that I’ve wanted to do, I’ve been able to do it.”
“Sometimes I find it so hard to speak about, but when I create art, I can get out how I feel, and it just makes it a lot better.”
When it came to creating the piece, George wasn’t sure what the end result would look like, but knew it needed to look uncomfortable.
“Your eyes tell a story – you can tell how someone feels just by looking at them,” George explained.
“I want people to feel like there’s a story to the piece because with a lot of art, the uncomfortable and disturbing art will comfort those who have been disturbed, but it will make those who are comfortable feel disturbed and weird so they will appreciate a bit how those people feel.
“I want them to have that feeling where they're like, what's gone on? What's the story? And those who have been through the disturbing things in life, I want them to feel a comfort.”
George added that the creative freedom on the course has been invaluable.
“I've gained so much experience of actually using different things and hearing about things I've never heard before, and it's opened up my mind a lot,” George added.
“I've never used Photoshop before, I had never used Illustrator before, I never got the opportunity to make clay sculptures, and now I am.
“The limits are endless. Anything that I've wanted to do, I've been able to do it.
“I'm able to do so much more than I have beforehand, and I appreciate everyone here who has helped me do that.”
Together, these pieces are a powerful example of how EKC Dover College nurtures creativity, empowering students to develop their artistic voices and pursue their passions with confidence.
Embrace your creative side and develop your skills with a range of art forms at EKC Dover College.
To find out more about the courses on offer, go to dovercollege.ac.uk and come to our next Open Day.
Website: www.dovercollege.ac.uk/ and www.ekcgroup.ac.uk
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