A-Level Art Show
June 2010
Carrickfergus College was the venue, the 9th of June 3.45 - 7.00p.m. was the time and place where pupil's A level and GCSE artwork were be on display to parents, staff and local businesses. This was the second annual art exhibition held in the college since Mrs Long joined the school as it's new Head of Art and Design.
Mrs Long has introduced a new applied A level to the College and explains 'The applied A level teaches the pupil's the business side of working as a designer, craftsperson or artists. The pupils take workshops with people who run their own businesses or work in industry. They get to meet, work with and interview people who have had to carve out their careers in art related jobs such as Paul Wilson a renowned international artist, Kevin Killen sculptor and Janet Hackney, a textile artist. The pupils learn transferable skills such as presenting, interviewing, costing and many more as well as the expected art skills. This makes the A level attractive to universities and employers and the pupils are not limited to art jobs or courses.' Mrs Long previously worked in the Fashion industry firstly as a graphic and clothing designer and later as a marketeer in a management position, working with clients such as M & S, Tescos, Sainsburys, Umbro and Adidas on multimillion pound accounts. She commuted to London weekly and worked in Paris, Milan, Brussels, New York and Dusseldorf frequently throughout the years.
'Having come to teaching from the work of manufacturing and high street retailing I was attracted to Carrickfergus College with its Business and Enterprise Ethos which means the school promotes the preparation of the children for the world of work, realizing the importance of the community and business links. Our applied A level fits right into this ethos and having taught it in previous years in my last school I have seen the success of the children, many acquiring prestigious posts and being accepted into architecture, film, graphic design, fashion design, business studies, history and English degree courses.'
The number of pupils sitting art GCSE and A level has trebled in the last two years and the department has grown it's profile due to the hard work of the Art team which consists of Mr. Ian Patton, Mrs Janice Croft and Mrs Long. 'We are the only school in the local area offering an applied art A level it is the transferable skills along with the subject skills employers are requesting of their prospective employees. This evening gives us a chance to show and thank parents, artists and local business for their continued support.'
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