Three professional artists are working with Forth Valley College students to help get their work ready for an exhibition at Stirling Castle which will tour to other venues across Stirling.
The Meet Your Maker project – organised jointly between Historic Environment Scotland, Craft Scotland, Artlink Central, Forth Valley College and two local high schools – has tasked FVC HND Art and Design students with researching, developing and producing a piece of wearable art. This concept hopes to express the connections between heritage and the modern world of technology we live in today, while thinking about the materials used to convey this fusion between tradition and modern.
Led by three artists - Jo Pudelko (Designer), Fiona Hermse (Jeweller) and Alis Le May (Fashion Designer) and FVC lecturer Jane Paterson – the students are hoping their designs will be good enough to be exhibited at Stirling Castle, The Engine Shed or at Forth Valley College from the beginning of May.
The work produced will count towards the students’ Block 2 course work in the units of Portfolio Production, Art and Design: Fashion/Performance Costume and Community Arts: Visual Arts. Two local high school schools Denny and St Modan’s are also involved in the project, where pupils are working on a set concept helped by the professional artists.
Jo Pudelko, said: “I am excited by the Meet Your Maker project and I am enjoying working with the students who have been fantastic. I feel confident that whatever design the student is interested in creating, that we will be able to help them develop it into an exciting finished piece.”
Fiona Hermse, said: “It's been great to be involved in this project and allow the students to consider new making techniques they perhaps otherwise wouldn't have considered. Quite a few students have come forward to assist with the Artlink sessions, so it’s great to be able to be a part of their community arts learning too. "
Alis Le May, added: “The Meet Your Maker project is a great opportunity for FVC students to try a range of making techniques, and it's also fantastic for the Makers to be able to share skills and learn from each other. I look forward to seeing how the students bring their designs to realisation for the exhibition in May."
Kirsten Wood, Learning Officer, from Historic Environment Scotland, said: “The Meet Your Maker project is in its fourth year and has been a fantastic opportunity for participants to work with professional artists. This year is the Year of Young People and for the pupils and students taking part they have gaining an insight into the world of work alongside gaining new skills. I have thoroughly enjoyed working on the project and here’s to the next one in 2019!”
Daniel Bonello (20) from Tillicoultry, who is making a jacket inspired by Stirling Castle, said: “I think out of all the work I have done at the college, this is the one I have liked the most.”
Chris Middleton (20) from Bannockburn, who is making a piece of jewellery inspired by the design of royal clothing worn at Stirling Castle, said: “I am enjoying this a lot more than I anticipated. It is important to work on live briefs like this.”
Shyvonne McLaughlan (20) from Bonnybridge, who is creating a skirt with a Stirling Castle theme, said: “It has been really good learning new techniques and that is what I like about it. I would recommend other students to get involved in this.”
Emma McEwen, (18) from Bannockburn, who is creating a body adornment inspired by the Engine Shed made from wood and Perspex, said: “I have not anything like this before, but I find it really interesting.”
Linda Paterson, Curriculum Manager in FVC’s Department of Creative Industries, said: “This is the third year that we have been involved in the Meet Your Maker project and we are delighted to once again be included. The students gain such a lot from working with the Artists and there are opportunities for volunteering and leading workshop activities that come to them through the project. In addition to gaining three credits towards their course, they also have the fantastic opportunity of exhibiting their creative work at Stirling Castle from the 1 May, right through their busiest season until September, where their work will be viewed by a massive international audience. We very much hope to continue this creative partnership in the future.”
