News. What's going on in Furness
More foundations in Art
Continuing this week’s series of articles about the Foundation Art & Design course from Barrow Sixth Form College, today we’re sharing more insights from a group of students who recently graduated from the course.
Fiona Taylor
I learnt a lot from the Art Foundation Course and I really enjoyed it. From the beginning of the course I learnt many new techniques. For my final project I produced a range of toys and clothes for babies. My two main final pieces were baby books I hand-made from fabric, a book on texture and pattern and a book on numbers and colours. I came up with a character I used in designing my creations, an elephant which I named Peebo! After finishing the course I am going on to study Drawing and Image Making at the University of Central Lancashire in September.
Lucy Sanderson
I studied French, Fine Art and English Literature at Barrow Sixth Form College, and I have just completed Art Foundation, in which my final major project specialised in jewellery and accessory design and production.
I created a brand name ‘Magpie’ and a website www.magpie-online.com where I could promote and sell my work. I wanted to do a project that could incorporate all the skills I had learnt over the past year, whilst trying new techniques. This project would have a sense of longevity, something I could carry on over the summer and when I get to University.
The exhibition & fashion show was a great end to a fantastic year, celebrating all our hard work and letting the public see the young, creative talent in the area.
I plan to go to Lancaster University in October to do Management. I am still not sure what I want to do in the future, but, I’ve always liked the idea of being my own boss, and running my own business.
Michael Bottomley
The Art Foundation Course at Barrow Sixth Form College helped me realise how good my strengths and intentions can be. The course gave me plenty of opportunities to test different techniques and taught me how to use them in my work. In the next year I am thinking of going to Lancaster and Morecambe College to do the Early Learning and Development childcare course. I am also going to be setting up a website for people to look at my work and possibly to sell my work.
Richard Lewis
At the end of my Foundation Art Course, I feel that I have had a very good year here and this has been much better than my other two years whilst studying for my A levels. Of course although at college I have picked up avariety of skills in my two years before, my foundation year was far by the best as whilst being in a small room with many other art students, I have managed to be far more communicative socially. My work during my time also has greatly improved the quality of my art work and prepared me for my future and university.
Sadie Wood
I am very glad I stayed on at college to study the FAD course as I have learnt a lot about what I can achieve if I put my mind to it. Before I started the course I would have labelled myself as a fine artist but having the opportunity to explore all other possibilities like graphic design and stitch work has changed my mind. This is evident in my final major project. I have now begun to develop my skills as a fashion designer and garment maker. It is something I really enjoy yet I wouldn’t have thought about it as a career before doing the course.
The start of September I plan on going to UCLAN University in Preston to study a four year course in Fashion, which involves one year in the industry. After attending university I have not planned what I would like to do though I hope it will be something I enjoy and am successful at.
Check out more work from the students in our photo gallery – and we’ll have even more from the students tomorrow.
Posted by Phil Powell on 20th August 2009

