Art
Head of Department: Sara Elston
The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed." - Albert Einstein
Drawing is one of the earliest ways in which a child will communicate, indeed we draw before we can talk and certainly before we can write. We read, respond to and creatively use visual language in our daily experiences. This innate ability to make marks, record what we see and communicate perception helps define us as a species. It is the pursuit of artistic endeavour which defines culture and enriches our lives.
At Ivybridge our creative endeavour serves the purpose of developing curiosity, sensitivity and visual literacy, which enable students to observe and perceive the world with increased awareness. The creation of artworks, engagement in the acquisition of knowledge, skills and exploring the processes of experimentation encourage the development of creativity while engendering a sense of self-worth.
At higher levels, the artistic journey is not only about acquisition of knowledge and mastery of skills, but very much about building independence and resilience in the pursuit of originality, individual creativity and one's awareness of self and others. In a future where the creative sector is seeing faster growth than any other sector in the developed world, a study of Visual Arts serve students in good stead and helps set them apart.
The teaching team is comprised of five multidisciplinary practitioners, supported by a full time technician.
We have five fully equipped purpose built classrooms, a tertiary studio space, IT suite, Etching press, digital and SLR cameras Dark room facilities and firing kilns.
Students are able to explore working in a broad range of materials and processes which include: Painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, mixed media, digital arts, sculpture, ceramics and textiles.
Art rooms are open for all students at lunchtime where they can develop or extend their coursework/exam preparation. After College classes are available for students to pursue art projects.
Key Stage 3
Our KS3 Art programme is grounded in the new National Curriculum framework and aims to equip students with core skills and knowledge. Through our Schemes of Work we aim to;
- Improve confidence in key skills such as drawing and colour handling
- develop sensory awareness and imagination
- develop visual inquiry skills to discover and explore their surroundings
- acquire analytical skills that enable them to describe and interpret artworks from throughout history
- create artworks to share their ideas, thoughts and feelings
- cultivate a spirit of innovation and experimentation
- understand values from a variety of cultures and context
- develop self-confidence and sense of achievement
Year 7 overview
Project 1: Elements and Skylines
Observational drawing, architecture, landscape, seascape, colour, texture, mixed media/collage, painting, oil pastel, artist research and analysis
Project 2: Pottery
Pinch pot or slab mould technique used to create functional pottery, artist research and analysis
Project 3: Portraiture
Observational drawing, scaling up, tone and mark making, Art History, painting
Year 8 overview
Project 1: Everyday Objects
Observational drawing, exploring a range of processes including: Collage, Printing, Drawing, Painting, Photography/IT, artist research and analysis.
Project 2: Creatures
Observational drawing, artist research, sculpture
Project 3: Abstract Art
Exploring the relationship between Music and Art, Experimental drawing, Collage, printmaking, collage/mixed media and artist research and analysis
Key Stage 4
Students who choose Art and Design at this key stage follow the AQA GCSE Art and Design Course. This is divided into two units
- Unit 1 : Portfolio of Work which accounts for 60% of the final grade
- Unit 2 : Externally Set Task, which accounts for 40% of the final grade
The candidate's portfolio must include more than one extended collection of work or project selected from artwork undertaken during the course of study and meet all four Assessment Objectives.
Our students produce work that covers a diverse range of disciplines within the arts. This is undertaken within three broad project headings: Environment and natural forms, Cultures and St.Ives (Coasts). Students produce work in response to start points set by the exam board for their practical exam.
Students exhibit their work at the end of their course at the annual summer Art Exhibition. Students also have the chance to visit local and national galleries including a visit to St. Ives and the Eden Project to develop critical, contextual and cultural awareness to support the development of their work.
Key Stage 5
AS and A Level Art, Craft & Design
Examining body: AQA
At higher levels, the artistic journey is not only about acquisition of knowledge and mastery of skills, but very much about building independence and resilience in the pursuit of originality, individual creativity and one's awareness of self and others. In a future where the creative sector is seeing faster growth than any other sector in the developed world, a study of Visual Arts serve students in good stead and helps set them apart.
Overview of the Courses: AS
Component 1: Portfolio
60% of total AS mark.
Students produce an extended collection of work that exemplifies aspects of their developing knowledge, practical skills and understanding. It should provide evidence of research, the development of ideas, making skills and critical/contextual understanding. It should demonstrate the student’s ability to sustain work from an initial starting point to a realisation.
Component 2: Examination Project
40% of total AS mark.
Students respond to a stimulus, provided by AQA, to produce work which provides evidence of their ability to record from observation, research and develop ideas and to make clear the link between their own and others’ work within specified time constraints.
A Level:
Component 1: Personal Investigation
60% of total A Level mark.
Students develop work based on an idea, issue, concept or theme leading to a finished outcome or a series of related finished outcomes. Practical elements should make connections with some aspect of contemporary or past practice of artist(s), designer(s), photographers or craftspeople and include written work of no less than 1000 and no more than 3000 words which supports the practical work.
Component 2: Examination Project
40% of total A Level mark.
Students respond to a stimulus, provided by AQA, to produce work which covers all assessment objectives and provides evidence of their ability to work independently within specified time constraints, developing a personal and meaningful response which leads to a finished outcome or a series of related finished outcomes.
What will you study?
You will explore a full range of materials and approaches:
- Creative problem solving and experimentation
- Drawing and recording skills
- A range of materials and processes including; Painting, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, aspects of art history, mixed media, textiles, digital based arts, Photography
- Contextual research
Assessment:
The course is assessed in four areas, as follows:
- A01 – Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding.
- A02 – Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops.
- A03 – Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress.
- A04 – Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between visual and other elements.
Possible Career Path?
We have an excellent reputation for placing students into Art colleges and universities; we also have enviable examination success statistics at A Level. The world uses the artist/designer as a provider for that which is designed – look about you, there is a lot of it and it keeps on expanding and developing!
The individuality of the artist, the ability to solve problems laterally, the skills involved in planning, making, communicating visually, and expressing uniquely are all in demand, but – as with everything – you only get out what you put in.
The Art and Design ‘industry’ rivals the communications industry as the fastest growing sector. The creative industries include: advertising and graphic design, architecture, art, antiques and museums, craft and three dimensional design, designer fashion, film, video, interactive leisure software, the performing arts, publishing, software and computer games, television and radio. It is therefore not surprising that the creative industries form an important part of the UKs economics and offer many job opportunities.