An Industry Day held at Nelson and Colne College for Creative Arts and Digital students provided an exciting insight into potential creative careers and the vast opportunities for them on leaving college.
Hosted by In-Situ, an artist-led organisation based in Brierfield, Pendle. Big thanks to Paul and Calum for organising the day’s events which began with a jam-packed morning of inspiring presentations with a common theme ‘Stories we Tell’.
The stories we tell.
Award-winning photographer Craig Easton (2021 recipient of the SONY World Photographer Awards Photographer of the Year) provided a fascinating insight into his work. Known for his intimate portraits and expansive landscape, Craig shoots long-term documentary projects exploring issues around social policy, identity and a sense of place.
North-West based artist and graduate of the MA Fine Art program at the Chelsea College of Arts, Azraa Motala was recently a finalist for the UK Young Artist of the Year Award in partnership with Saatchi Gallery and has exhibited work with the Textiles Biennial.
… and Jodie Ratcliffe, Producer at Breaking Barriers spoke of her passion for working with young people from marginalised communities and devotion to uncovering stories – using film, animation, visual imagery, soundscape and audio.
Jodie said that talking to the students brought “…some inspired conversations and questions from our future generation of makers and creators.”
Hands-on workshops.
Beginning with a unique ‘talk show’ style workshop hosted by The People Speak (Mikey and Margot) that encouraged students to take part in an inspiring future ‘talkaoke’ discussion on the future of digital, people’s changing values and the types of roles that will be available to them in the creative sector.
Bringing communities together through art.
Zaneb Khatun (a former Nelson and Colne College student) is CEO for Community Arts by ZK. Art is the driving force of her business, bringing communities together. Zaneb’s workshop provided the opportunity for students to get creative with sticks and stones.
On what advice she would offer, Zaneb told the students “… follow your dream, aim high, do not ever give up, keep trying and working hard until you reach your goal.”
Getting Creative.
With an MA in Creative Advertising, Andrew Jarred (also a former Nelson and Colne College student) is responsible for Marketing and Communications at In-Situ. Andrew held an interactive ‘Creative Advertising’ workshop with the students.
“The talk was amazing. With Andrew’s expertise in advertising we got to compare different adverts and explain why they were good and why they were bad, this was fun to me.”
Aysha Z
Developing Social Spaces.
Uzma Raziq, Community Engagement Associate and Ben Pearson, Linear Park Projects Co-ordinator introduced two of Super Slow Way’s key projects – the Pennine Lancashire Linear Park and the British Textiles Biennial. Working with partners across the region, the Super Slow Way values and develops social spaces where people can express their own cultural identities and celebrate their own everyday creativity.
Passionate about culture, creativity and community.
Led by Fiona Whitty, Pendle Leisure Trust’s Cultural Development Manager and Digital Connectors, a group of volunteers who help promote arts and culture on offer in Pendle. The workshop provided opportunities for the students to film/interview, experiment with still-life photography and create ‘life in landscape’ sketches on ipads.
“I really enjoyed the digital art which was drawing on the iPad. I have not done this before and found it very interesting”.
Aleena G, Year 1 Media
Getting animated.
Ryan Hammond, a talented freelance animator offered advice about the industry as well as talking to students about his invaluable experiences. For those interested in specialising in animation, Ryan covered ways to improve their drawing and encouraged experimentation with different animating techniques.
Find out more …
Creative Media and Digital courses at Nelson and Colne College here
Creative Media and Digital courses at Accrington and Rossendale College here
NEW! Digital T LEVELS
“The day was amazing and really gave us an insight of what working in the industry is like. It goes to show if you work hard, you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it. College really helps you to get to the career you want.”
Mia T, Year 1 Art
