This is a blog to hi-light some interesting stuff we have noticed this week. It could be very new it might be older, we just thought it was a way to engage with the arts. Hopefully it'll inspire you to explore more. If this week's offering doesn't float your boat, pop back next week, or click on the Stretch and Challenge blog here, for loads of other starting points.
THIS WEEK: 12th JUNE 2023
This week in Expressive arts the last of the the second Year learners completed their work. All the work has been moderated and we now have the exhibition on Tuesday 20th 5-7pm for you all to come and celebrate their achievements. This is a brilliant opportunity for all of you to come and look at some great work and get inspiration for your own exhibition next year. We hope we can see you all there. This week's blog has some incredible TV and some thigs for you to listen to and visit. I hope you enjoy it. Well done to all our Year 2s, you got through it and I hope you are proud of the outcomes you achieve.
WEEK: 22nd May 2023
It's nearly half term. For some of you it'll be exam revision and no half term really. Just remember your hard work now will help support the rest of your life. Those of you finishing this year will get a huge holiday after so working hard this week is a small price to pay. What I have tried to do is to share fun things and supportive things for you to access whatever your current situation. A celebration or in need of support, I have something for all of you. I hope the week will be productive and creative for all of you and I look forward to seeing and hearing about all the great cultural experiences you have had over the break. See you all when you get back. Good luck with all your preparations and make sure you do the best you can.
WEEK: 2nd May 2023
As we prepare for a Coronation and another bank holiday, I hope you are all prepping for your exams and assessment two work. I have shared a wide range of opportunities this week, competitions, talks and Films, all things to get involved with to help develop your portfolios/ CVs and general experiences. The content has become quite poster heavy this week, but posters are a great starting point for many artists. Toulouse La Trec famously funded his lifestyle producing posters, as they were cheaper to make and got your art into the world more easily. Posters allow artists to showcase their skills and you can get paid for it. I used to make gig posters when I first started, it helped me make lots of friends and | now produce album sleeves and stage props for many of, alongside my own work. They are a low-risk medium, and when it comes to gigs, there is always another one, so good for repeat business. The best posters are world famous and iconic, people have them framed on the walls, so it can cross many boundaries. So why not give it a go and start your journey that way.
WEEK: 24th March 2023
This week we have a wide range of ideas. It is International Design Day on April 27th, there are opportunities to get involved with their theme of Peace! Love! Design. Loads of great ideas on the website and a superb introduction to the International Council of Design. We have a trip, for Year 1 learners, to Blackpool planned, a chance to explore parts of the town you might usually miss and a fantastic opportunity to create a range of artwork that can be used in your coursework. Make a print from a drawing or create fascinating light paintings in the illuminations. They'll be something for everyone.
WEEK: 17th APRIL 2023
Welcome back everyone. We hope you have all had a great Easter break. I was lucky enough to visit Cornwall and see artwork by my favourite artists. I have mentioned them all here previously so I won't be going into that more than this. During my time in St Ives I was able to sit and enjoy Hepworth's Sculpture Garden, completing drawings and photo joiners. I have seen ancient sights and walked in the countryside. I have returned to work inspired to create new work and with ideas to develop my own projects I am completing alongside my classes. I hope you have been able to do the same, often just getting out of your usual routines can help revive any flagging creativity. This week we have put together a range of ideas to help support your creative processes, from dodgy performances at Coachella to how to develop a world famous app. Plenty of help and support to get you through this half term, when for Year 2 A level and ALL UAL students the course has been completed. Good luck this half term, don't let yourself down, you'll regret it, at some point down the line, if you do.
EASTER HOLIDAYS
WEEK: 13th March 2023
We missed last week and this week has been disrupted by strike action. The strikes have been portrayed as staff asking for more money, but the unions have stated that 20% of staff have left teaching and are not being replaced, as people do not want to be teachers as they are paid quite poorly, especially initially. Many more staff wanted to strike, and simply could not afford to, testimony to the struggles staff face. In business if you need to recruit, but can't you need to offer more money. In the long term, you will see larger classes and poorer teaching, many of you have been affected by lack of teachers etc. how annoying has it been, these strikes are trying to find solutions to these issues. No teacher wants to go out on strike, but what other powers do we have. So, we're sorry for the inconvenience it caused you this week, but we hope you support the reasons why we all went out. Hopefully now discussions will take place to resolve the strikes. Come and have a chat about it if you have any questions or have a read up about it yourself.
We missed INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY last week so I have rectified that this with with some great creative women. All very inspiring, we hope to see some of you guys on the list in the future. Some interesting TV shows too, maybe challenging but hugely thought provoking.
2 weeks until Easter and your exams. Hopefully these ideas could spark the final push.
THIS WEEK: 27th February 2023
We hope your exam units are going well, you should all be well into the development stages of the work and beginning to finalise potential areas to refine further. It's an exciting time, where you have the skills and now you have a chance to show them off to the world. With 5 weeks until Easter it is a vital time and if you need advice and support please make sure you ask. Remember we have seen everything before and we have heard all the excuses so be honest and give yourself the chance the excel over the next few weeks. This week as a result of this thinking I have put together a selection of great opportunities and creative insights, so should you get stuck this could be a great starting point to get you moving again, before coming to speak to us.
WEEK: 20th February 2023
We hope you had a great half term and are ready for this final push to ensure you achieve to the best of your abilities. I certainly had a busy week, catching up on exhibitions I hadn't got a chance to see and doing some work I haven't had time to fully commit too. So overall a very productive half term, full of fun and culture. This week I have continue to visit Museums with a quick trip into Manchester to see the newly reopened Manchester Museum. Full of great new more and ancient artefacts, it makes you feel humble to realise all this history and culture surrounds us every day. So, by being open and engaged, I've seen ancient Mummies, great paintings, sculptures that adorn buildings, I've learnt about the cultures that make Greater Manchester what it is and I have produced and sold some artwork, I am proud of. The break has been an exciting time to become re inspired. We hope it was the same for you too. Enjoy the blog, that reflects some of these things I have done.
WEEK: 9th February 2023
CULTURE DAY IS UPON US
Firstly, with the Earthquake in Turkey and Syria affecting many of us I have also posted ways to help if you can at the bottom of the blog. Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by the disaster.
On Friday 10th the main Culture Day events take place. Last year the event was a real celebration of the college community and I can't wait to see you all this year, exceed that. This weeks blog, before the half term, focusses on Dance and Music, as is the theme in college as a starting point, and then looks at creatives who celebrate and reimagine their cultures, history and individualisms. We hope you all have a productive half term, for many this is the start of a vital 3 months, so ensure you make the most of your time and keep your studies ticking over. I'm hoping to get into Manchester and go to London to see the exhibitions I have been unable to see yet. Hopefully you'll be able to visit places and see cool stuff too. There are only two weeks of the Bolton Open left, in the art gallery, so if nothing else, go and see that. Your peers and teachers have work in there, see if you could enter next time? See you in a week.
WEEK: 1st February 2023
CULTURE MONTH
It's Culture Month in college, I'm already looking forward to seeing all your great contributions. I have begun to assemble a range of ideas that reflects the community in college and over this month I hope that you will all see something that is reflective of you. What is culture? There are many different interpretations from cultural heritage to who you hang around with. How hard you try or not in college and what your expectations are for the future. As young people you are shaping the culture of the college and Bolton on the daily, we hope you will leave here and continue to shape the culture more broadly as you venture out into the world, sharing your life and experiences with others. We have an incredible melting pot in college, and we can all learn from one another. We have respect and tolerance for different beliefs and values and we are keen to learn and experience new things as a result. So, let's make this month a huge celebration of our differences but understanding our shared experiences.
WEEK: 16th January 2023
As Madonna announces her first ever greatest hits tour, I thought I would put together a selection of creatives and outline the skills on show to help you Get into the Groove as we reach the end of C1 and move into C2. We may be just back from a Holiday but you should be ready to Express Yourself. If you are a Boderline student, this might help. It might be crazy for you but this could be a great starting point. So, Ladies with an attitude. Fellows that were in the mood. Don't just stand there, let's get to it. Strike a pose, there's nothing to it. Vogue
WEEK: 9th January 2023
BOGGIS, BUNCE AND BEAN
The first full week back, all are settling in and have deadlines clearly in view. All of you are now working to showcase our skills and show that they have a place in the cultural landscape going forward. This week we have looked at some great exhibitions and cool Youtube channels all aimed to showing you about making the most of what you have and sometimes simplicity is just as powerful as grandiose production. We have showcased local talent that have achieved global success and ways to help improve your chances of working for these companies in the future. So, as always, have an explore and see where these starting points take you.
WEEK: 2nd January 2023
NEW YEAR, NEW HOPES
Welcome Back Everyone!!! We hope you have had a restful but productive break. As we enter the last few weeks of component 1 and the start of the FMP for the UAL students it is vital we use the time available productively. This weeks blog has a range of opportunities and motivational messages to get you started, as we hope you will continue, with passion and enthusiasm. Success stories from the department and messages of support when creative block strikes. This half term is one of the most vital times for us in Expressive Arts, as we finish one project strongly, to begin another with the same energy and resolve to achieve at the highest level. We'll be there to support, but you have to do the work. Good luck!
THIS WEEK: 12th December 2022
FELIZ NAVIDAD
It's the last week of term and Christmas, for many of us, is just around the corner. We in the Expressive Art department would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We hope you all have a great but productive break. Spend time with family, speak to your friends and be mindful, some won't be having the same joyous experiences as you, hopefully will. Let's all be supportive, present and aware to ensure everyone gets a little bit of joy during this holiday period.
In Expressive Arts component 1 has 3 weeks left on our return and so we will need to ensure we are ready to hit the ground running when we get back. You'll all have targets to do following Assessment 4, give yourself some time off and then chip away each day, so it is not a giant chore at the end. Some great work has been happening so far this year, culminating in many of you being part of the Bolton Open, a great achievement. Today's blog is a Christmas Special with loads of cool things to see, watch and explore. Could some of it help develop ideas going forward into the new year.
WEEK: 28th November 2022
Saturday 3rd December is International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2022. A day where we celebrate, just that, persons with disabilities and their incredible contribution to our society and culture. So this week's blog explores some of the creatives that are influencing the art world at the moment, whatever the week, just these people are also identified as disabled. As an able bodied person writing this and many of you reading this, I am unaware of the realities and challenges of day to day life, I was appalled by the wheelchair access available on public transport whilst in London, and couldn't help but think, people are ignoring this issue because it doesn't effect most of us and it would be expensive to change. Yet, it excluded those that it does from some fantastic opportunities, which is absolutely outrageous. Groups like the UK Disability Arts Alliance work to ensure access is available to the arts, in whatever capacity people need, they also provide spaces you can visit to make and share your thoughts and ideas. In college changes have been made to ensure college is accessible to all, which is great, but I don't experience these realities so I hope some of you could share with us your experiences in a later blog, should you be interested too. I am hugely impressed by the creatives below and their output, when they talk about their own disabilities it is to make sure others have the opportunities they had, without having to fight to get the same chances, many abled bodied people take for granted . They show that creativity can be explored in any way and the fact you are disabled should add to your creative output, not hinder it or define you as an individual. The fact that these artists are disabled doesn't make the work better or more interesting. Great artwork, music and film making is just that and these creatives, and many more, are just brilliant artists and should be recognised as such.
Week: 21st November 2022
A WORLD CUP OF CREATIVITY
The World Cup has well and truly begun. By the time you read this England may have already played twice. After a 6-2 win, it's hard not to be more excited now. This week we have a well-being day, and I hope you will all use it to help with your own well-being, whether that be relaxing at home, organising your spaces, or even doing work, so you can relax over the weekend, make the most of it. This week's blog ensures the more serious stories of the world cup are referenced but we explore architecture, history of kits, fashion trends, as well as artists who use football to inspire some great social media content. I hope you enjoy it.
Week: 14th November 2022
With the World Cup about to start on Sunday, I thought that would be the perfect WOW starting point. Like many of you, I am excited about the World Cup. As always, I have that faint sense of dread and anticipation for England's performances, yet I am totally aware of the historic, political and moral dilemmas this World Cup brings to the fore. I don't want to support a World Cup that was gained through corruption and has tried to hide the horrendous worker's rights. A country where it is illegal to be Gay or Trans and women don't have the same rights as men. I have considered not watching at all, but I know that will be impossible. I am conflicted, as I assume many of you are too. I am also powerless, and the World Cup is happening whatever I do. So, this blog reflects those feelings and raises awareness of some of the issues that surrounds it, it's what I can do. I wanted to share the great activism that can go on when you make football a creative act and also showcase the great design needed to create iconic kits and stories that define, less controversial World Cups. Watched the clips, listen to the podcasts, read the articles and come to your own conclusions. Enjoy!
Week: 7th November 2022
This week's WOW looks at a wide selection of Artists and creative figures. Yesterday was Enrichment Day so I wanted to reflect the experience we had in Art and your own experiences. The week started with my discovery of The Blaze's DJ set at the highest building in France. An awe inspiring setting, which made me think about striving to achieve to the best of your ability. The Sky's the limit. So I have selected creatives who challenge authority and the norms of society, to put themselves into uncomfortable situations to get the best work they can. Many of this work can be seen now in Manchester or from the comfort of your own home by Youtube. I have also linked the current job opportunities at a couple of world renowned studios so you can see what you need to do to get jobs at these places in the future. Someone has to work there, why not you. So enjoy the work, it's all very different, so something should resonate with all of you. Enjoy!
Week: 31st October 2022
Welcome back everyone, we hope you are ready for this new half term. For the second years, you are in a final push for your component 1 and the first years have your first assessment at the end of term. Exciting times if you can stay organised and on top of your workloads. This week, I've put together a wide range of ideas and potential ways of working to reflect the broad ambitions we hope you all have. I've also tried to reflect artists who use other 'subjects' to inspire their work, whether that be math or geography to science. Are you using your wider knowledge and understanding to inform your own artwork? if not, could that be a way forward. Plenty of people and organisations to like and subscribe to and an exhibition opportunity too. Good luck this half term. we are so excited to see what you do.
Week: 17th October 2022
This week we continue our Black History exploration. I have selected a range of artists who explore a wide range of topics in their work, researchers, poets and designers who work in textiles, photography, collage and paint. I wanted to hilight the importance of a wide practice and cultural awareness and not limiting yourself to one outcome. There are a number of starting points for you to explore but follow the links to find even more exciting and powerful work. As we begin the half term, I hope you all have a purposeful break, full of exciting experiences and restful opportunities. For the first year, congratulations on making it to the first half term. Loads of excellent work has been produced, trips and exhibitions. You've made new friends and started new subjects; you learnt new things and there is loads more for you to discover. View that with enthusiasm and excitement and the next term will be even better.
Week: 10th October 2022
This week's blog reflects on using your culture, traditions, friend and family to inspire your work. Making the most of what you have and developing it into world impacting art. We look at artists from non-traditional creative places, but who have become involved in shaping contemporary culture and groups who have done their own thing and made their own path in the visual arts. Sampa The Great is from Zambia, via Australia and makes incredible modern music, both sonically and lyrically, with a heavy influence on tradition Zambian culture. Virgil Abloh, from Illinois started his own fashion label, screen printing existing clothes and marketed it so well he got noticed by the biggest brands in the world. All the people in the blog are inspired by collaboration and are inspired by the traditions in their field. All things that you should be doing. All ways you can challenge the status quo. It's all about drive and determination and as you can see, if the opportunities don't appear to be there maybe you should be doing it for yourself.
Week: 3rd October 2022
October is Black History Month, so of course we will be highlighting and celebrating work by Black Creatives, as we hopefully already do. We want to reflect the creatives we have in college, and I hope you can find things that you find interesting in this and subsequent blogs. This week's WOW explores collaborations and interesting ways, creatives respond to identity. Some thought provoking work and some fun, vibrant work. It doesn't always have to be serious to get an important message across. As always the articles are a starting point for you to explore and discover for yourself, I have added a number of hyperlinks to more articles, I feel you'd like too. How might the work inspire your own? Could you produce a great photoshoot, or turn that drawing into a vibrant poster? Plenty to get you started, so explore and enjoy.
Week: 26th September 2022
As the induction period ends we have completed our first exhibition and now we develop fresh ideas and build on what we have learnt so far. Do we want to change, has a new process inspired a change in you. Are you thinking you need to work harder or want to work hard to achieve your goals. Has a career path appeared that you had no idea existed? It's all very exciting and for some overwhelming. We see this every year and will support you through but the most important think is you need to take stock of the induction period and reflect on how it could have gone better or what you will do next after being enthused. This weeks blog, has a look at different technologies and new ways to create art, from the YBAs who pioneered a modern approach to John Wilson doing lo fi documentary collages and the significance of AI technology in Art. Explore and continue to be interested in everything.
Week: 19th September 2022
New eras and New discoveries are all on the line this week. New exhibitions in Liverpool and new music venues in Manchester, mind-bending films and great locations in Paris. As we move out of the induction phase of the term, it is exciting to see how you, as new creatives, will respond to all the new ideas and imagery you have been introduced too. We look forward to seeing your responses in next week's exhibition. I have purposefully selected things this week that responds to an environment or artwork, so you can understand that the practices we are teaching you can be used in a wide range of professions and the creative process you are learning now, are used by all creatives working today. I hope you enjoy exploring all these new things, maybe you have new discoveries you have made since starting college, could you share them with us, so we can pass them on.
Week: 12th September 2022
What a week! Momentus! Unpresidented! There have been so many ceremonies and historical acts past. As a spectacle of pageantry, it has been incredibly interesting. Of course, the death of a Mother and Grandmother is sad, on a human level and many will mourn the passing of a great leader and 'servant to the country' in their own ways. Are some of you off to London this weekend to pay your respects? On Monday the 19th, the Queen's funeral will take place, a historic occasion, not seen by anyone in all of the college communities' lifetimes. Will you be watching? Will you mark the event in your way? In this week's blog, I have shown the Queen to be a supporter of the arts, she has sat more many portraits and 1000s of artists have depicted her. The National Portrait Gallery is full of pictures of Monarchy alongside her own collections. The Queen understood how art can influence a nation and sends a message to the world without needing to speak. A trick that has been used by all powerful people for millennia. Will King Charles support the arts in the same way? No doubt he will? I've also shared some David Attenborough work; he too is an elder statement using the arts to tell his story. Maybe you can start to do that yourself.
5th September 2022
We're back! I hope you've all had a great break, seeing loads of interesting things and getting inspired for the new year. WOW has returned with its range of interesting things I've seen over the past week. A wide range of ideas this week, from Live Performance to Illustration. I have started with a general theme of discovery, curiosity and new challenges, which seemed like the obvious place to start, I hope you enjoy the mix of things. Good luck this year, if you can be organised and enthusiastic you can expect the highest grades at the end. Do yourself proud!
WOW of the week 21/22 Archive
WOW! of the week 20/21 Archive
All two years ago blogs are here! Follow the link to access!
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