It Only Takes A Year…

An Access to HE Art and Design Exhibition

A retrospective exhibition of work by past and present Access to HE Art & Design students is currently being shown at The People’s Gallery at The Forum, Southend.

Taking place until the 30 April at The People’s Gallery at The Forum in Southend, the It Only Takes a Year exhibition presents an engaging collection of student work that reflects the breadth of the course and the many creative journeys undertaken by its students.

Visitors can see a range of media and approaches, highlighting the experimentation, technical development, and personal themes explored by learners throughout the programme. Demonstrating not only the high standard of work produced during the course, but also the confidence and individuality students develop over the year.

Alongside work by current students, the exhibition also features pieces from former Access students who have progressed to degree courses at University Centre South Essex and other institutions. Their work offers insight into how the foundation built during the Access course continues to support creative development at higher levels of study.

Vicky Burch, Access to HE Art and Design Course Leader, said “The Access course provides an excellent opportunity for mature students to return to education and pursue a degree in the arts, even if they have no formal Art & Design qualifications. While the course helps develop students’ art and design skills, it also prepares them for study in higher education, with attributes such as independent study and time management, as well as the confidence and resilience to study at a higher level. We have seen many mature students progress to HE, achieve their degrees, and secure careers in the creative industries.”

The Access course provides an ideal transition into Higher Education for adult learners, particularly those wishing to remain local due to work or family commitments. The exhibition illustrates the diversity of students who return to education and the wide range of creative paths they pursue. Bringing the exhibition to a close is a newly exhibited student work, presented for the first time to mark the 10th anniversary of Access tutor Anne Harvey’s passing.

A Private Viewing of the exhibition was recently hosted for current and former students, staff, and visitors. Creating an opportunity for students to reconnect and reflect on their experiences of returning to education as adult learners, many expressing their appreciation for the opportunities the Access course has provided.

Commenting on the course, Chloe Davidson, a current Access to HE Art and Design student said “the great thing about the course is that it’s so diverse. There’s a variety of mediums to learn and do, which gives you loads of options. I am going to progress to a Graphic Design degree and hopefully a career in book design.”

Graduate of the Access to Art and Design course, Claire Burgoyne, who went on to study a BA (Hons) Fine Art at University Centre South Essex (UCSE) said “During my time at SECG and UCSE I developed confidence in public speaking and learned how to use digital tools and applications that were previously unfamiliar to me. The course also strengthened my writing, presentation, and communication skills, particularly when discussing my own artistic practice. I gained valuable curation experience and a strong understanding of the language of Fine Art, giving me the confidence to work in gallery environments.”

It’s never too late to consider completing a degree. It only takes a year to get there.

Find out more about our Access to HE Art and Design course today