Art and Design at Glenalmond College

Overview

Art, as a way of pupils investigating themselves and the world in which they live, is essential to the natural development of the sensitive, imaginative and aware human being. It also gives visual form to inner feelings and external appearances. Therefore, the centre of the Art Department's teaching is that all young people can and should be able to understand the wider implication of art, which is beyond the superficial. It is our aim to direct and develop a pupil's personal awareness of the implicit spiritual and moral relationships between the creative and the higher cultural purpose of art.

Syllabus

Art and Design studies focus initially on the importance of observational drawing as an investigative tool and foundation for further study. In parallel to this approach to drawing, it is also essential that all pupils gain an understanding of 'visual thinking' and acquire a knowledge and understanding of 'visual vocabulary.' All of these aspects are vigorously pursued through both the written and practical work.

In the junior school, pupils are introduced to painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, and photography, partly through a focus on the work of relevant artists and designers. Pupils assimilate a greater understanding of artistic language through practical studio work and written responses. They are also encouraged to discuss art in class which encourages a more mature insight and greater artistic awareness. Specific course content is formulated by individual teachers, with prep being set fortnightly.

At GCSE, pupils follow the OCR general Art and Design course. Coursework consists of more than one unit, exploring different ideas, various media and the work of relevant artists. Their portfolio must encompass at least two artistic disciplines, from a selection which includes Fine Art and Design. The Controlled Test comprises of a short project, culminating in a ten hour final resolution.

In the Sixth Form, up to forty pupils each year take the AS and A2 Level courses (OCR UNENDORSED). Our Upper 6th students achieve excellent results at A Level, with many candidates regularly gaining entry to leading Colleges of Art and Design for Foundation Courses, and direct entry to art related degree courses. Pupils are required to work from direct observation of primary sources, explore the work of relevant artists and to further refine media handling skills gained at GCSE level. Employing numerous choices of media, processes and techniques, they must develop preparatory work into a portfolio of resolved pieces. At AS Level the Controlled Assignment is a short project with a 5-hour examination.

At A2 Level,pupils should have enough experience and judgement to undertake independent creative work, specialising in an area of study which includes Fine Art or Design. Students are also expected to complete a related 1-3,000 word related study. The Controlled Test is a short project with a final 15 hour piece.

At both GCSE and A-level, all practical work is underpinned by contextual study through the form of Log/ Diary to develop to the highest standard, their individual creative talents, and their critical and academic interests in the pursuit of excellence in Art and Design.

Over the last few years the Department has presented a very successful series of Art and Design Master Classes featuring prominent Artists and Designers. These have proved to be excellent catalysts for further study and individual project development.

The department offers activities and extra tuition on some weekday afternoons to encourage and foster a commitment in our pupils to art and to ensure a foundation upon which they may build for the rest of their lives.

Staff Profiles

Bing Wang

Head of Department 

Mr Bing Wang graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee University in 2003, where he was awarded MA. Prior to his time at Dundee, he completed his BA in drawing and painting and had taught in China for three years. After a year spent at Glenalmond as an Artist in Residence, he then went to England and taught at King's School, Worcester for five years before returning to Glenalmond.

Mr Wang has extensive experience of teaching across all age groups and has extended his skills across several disciplines. This has included drawing, painting, sculpture, textile and printmaking. As a practising artist, his work has been selected at Royal Portrait Society Annual Exhibition and the Discerning Eye exhibition, both at the Mall Gallery in London. He also regularly exhibits his work in commercial galleries across the country.

Clodagh Norton

Part Time Teacher of Art

Clodagh Norton graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in 2008 – BA Combined Studies. She has exhibited and sold her work in Scotland and Italy. She is an extremely versatile artist who paints, sculpts in clay and makes accessories and jewellery. Prior to undertaking formal training at Art College, she spent many years taking various courses in art in the many places she has lived and visited, from life drawing classes at the Chelsea School of Art to master classes in ceramics in Italy. Mrs Norton comes from an international background. She was born in Hong Kong, and educated firstly in Hong Kong then Italy, Switzerland and England. She speaks German and Italian fluently and in her earlier career worked in the tourist industry, before moving into teaching art and design. She found her ability to express herself in different languages translated itself naturally into her multi-disciplinary approach to working and teaching. Mrs Norton has also undertaken specialist training with UCAS in portfolio preparation and admissions procedures to Art Colleges.

Brian Whitten

Head of Art History

Assistant Teacher and Head of Art History, Brian Whitten trained in Printmaking and Education at the Cambridge Institute of Education and graduated from the Open University in Art History. He began his teaching career in preparatory schools, eventually moving to senior schools in Oxfordshire and Yorkshire as Head of Department. Brian was Co-ordinator of professional development for independent schools across the north of England for five years. His preferred medium is pen and ink, and he enjoys, in any spare time he has, making architectural studies of the local environment.

Nicci Kitchin

Part Time Teacher of Art

In 2004 Nicci Kitchin graduated with a BA Honours in Furniture Design, from Edinburgh College of Art. After taking a year out to pursue her passion for travelling, she began her Teacher Training in Manchester and has since been working as a qualified Art Teacher. Apart from her main interest in design, Nicci also loves to paint and in her own time, is regularly found painting commissions of landscapes and skylines.

NEWS AND EVENTS

Early in the Michaelmas term, AS students undertook an extensive site visit to Dunkeld Cathedral. The purpose of this trip is to provide visual stimuli to the following painting and design project and to help them understand the process of translating ideas into visual art work. The students were hugely inspired and stimulated by the dilapidated structure and other visual excitements this historic site offered. They has worked with great interest and produced high quality sketch books which, without doubt, will contribute enormously to the development of their course work.