New Art and Design programme at UCOL

News Release

Friday 30 March 2012

New Art and Design programme at UCOL

Palmerston North people with an interest in art and design now have an opportunity to do a certificate programme at UCOL.

The new programme – the Certificate in Art and Design – starts at UCOL mid-April and will end in December.

Students will study full time, learning about drawing, painting, computer graphic design, and New Zealand art history.

Head of UCOL’s School of Photography, Arts and Design Rachel Hoskin says the programme will appeal to people who want to create and find out more about original art and design. “It can also be used as a foundation programme for those who want to go on to further study on our arts and design degree programmes at Whanganui and Palmerston North, including the Bachelor of Fine Arts offered at Whanganui UCOL.”

“It may also appeal to school leavers with an interest in the creative industries and practicing artists or designers who want to broaden their practice or create employment opportunities.”

Lead lecturer for the new programme is successful designer Nicola Marshall. Nicola says the programme is largely practical and hands-on and students will be encouraged to experiment. “There will also be field trips and guest lecturers, including practicing artists and designers.

“Maori and Polynesian art both historical and contemporary will be explored as well as the relationship between New Zealand and the world.”

Palmerston North people can meet Nicola and other UCOL lecturers, students and graduates at an information evening next month. It will be held in the Gallery Space of the UCOL School of Photography, Art and Design block in in Queen Street between 4 pm and 6 pm on Wednesday 11 April.

About: Nicola Marshall

Nicola Marshall graduated from Canterbury University with a Diploma in Fine Arts majoring in Film.

She worked in the film industry in Wellington and Auckland and won a scholarship from the QE2 Arts Council to be trained as a set dresser. Another scholarship from the British Council enabled her to travel to the UK to observe studio and location productions.

Nicola did post graduate studies at the Chelsea School of Art and Design in London, studying technical drawing and television set design.

Back in New Zealand, she began a 15 year career as a Production Designer with TVNZ. She designed sets for dramas, children’s, news and magazine, entertainment shows and was nominated for a Film & Television award for Joyful & Triumphant. Nicola also worked for other networks and independent producers and taught in the Avalon Film & Television School.

Nicola left TVNZ in 2006 to peruse an academic career and also ran her own very successful screen design practice. She has taught at Toi Whakaari, CPIT Broadcasting School, and the New Zealand Film School. She teaches computer aided design and drawing on UCOL’s Interior Design Diploma programme and performance design and installation art on the Diploma in Performing Arts programme.

She recently became a mentor with the Emerging Artists Trust. She says at UCOL she has the opportunity to work with a broad range of students. “The culture at UCOL is special: I have been able to work with adult learners of all ages. I am a big believer in life-long learning.”

Nicola lives in Wellington and has and two teenage children.

ENDS

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