"Creativity exists more in the searching than in the finding"
Stephen Nachmanovich

OVERVIEW

Would you like to be the next Damien Hirst, Jenny Saville, Sir Norman Foster or Dame Vivienne Westwood? Then Art and Design is the subject for you! It is an exciting and challenging discipline, which can ultimately lead into a wide variety of careers in Fine Art and Design Studio practice, exhibition and museum curatorship, education, design for industry and commerce as well as film, television, publication, advertising, and the digital industries.

A successful Art and Design education should offer all pupils the opportunity for personal, social and creative development within a cultural context. Particularly relevant are the transferable skills that are gained through the research and development processes involved in the practice of Art and Design and these skills of analysis, problem solving, divergent thinking, conceptual thinking and communication can be applied in variety of contexts.

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, in particular through the sketchbook. Pupils are introduced to the visual elements e.g. line, tone, form, texture, colour, pattern, while also acquiring skills and abilities to create and design and as well as analyse the work of contemporary Artists.

All study is underpinned by contextual referencing through regular visits to exhibitions and museums throughout Scotland.

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 courses are assessed through practical and written coursework and examination.

The department offers activities and extra tuition on some weekday afternoons.

STAFF

Head of Art and Design Pauline Hann graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design and Dundee College of Education in the early 1970's. Until 2003, when she came to Glenalmond, she taught in Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, University of Dundee. As a practicing artist, Pauline regularly exhibits her own artwork with EDGE Textile Artists Scotland, a professional group representing over one hundred Scottish Textile Artists. She has also had her work featured in many journals and publications.

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.

NEWS EVENTS AND GALLERY

The department continues to achieve excellent examination results e.g. at G.C.S.E. in 2008 from a group of 29, there were 11 A*, 9 A, 8 B and 1 C grades. It has also been very successful in helping pupils gain places at some of Britain's most highly regarded Art and Design Schools and Colleges, including all four Scottish Art Colleges and a variety of prestigious colleges in England.

Michaelmas 09 GCSE Art Trip

Photos from last Fridays GCSE ART  trip, September 4th. Pupils viewed work by Timo Jokla, a Finnish environmental artist and had the opportunity to examine at close quarters the design processes involved in creating sets and costumes for Dr Who. They even got a chance to be a Dalek! They went on to do drawing and photography at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and the Museum of Transport.