Emma creates her future

Emma Sputnik

 

 

Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts student Emma Sputnik is using her creative skills to create the kind of community she wants to live in. Emma was recently a finalist for the Camden and Wollondilly Small Business Awards, for her work in establishing the Picton Creative Traders Markets. This thriving local market for hand-made products is contributing to the local economy and providing income streams for local creatives.

This is what Emma has to say about how her studies at Nepean Arts and Design Centre have helped her achieve her goals:

"As a creative person, studying at visual arts at Nepean Arts and Design Centre, at TAFE's Western Sydney Institute has been instrumental to my career path as an events co-ordinator and emerging artist. From a humble beginning as a supermarket checkout operator, studying at a higher level has given me access to priceless skills, and knowledge without which I would have never found my current career path.

For all the skills acquired at TAFE, the most unseen aspect would be the generosity of teachers who tirelessly share their time, knowledge and personal  resources to inspire the hungry minds of students. The life long friendships and professional relationships forged through learning, combined with state of the art resources to practice technical skills make TAFE a priceless experience. I look forward to completing my Advanced Diploma at Nepean Arts and Design Centre this year, and can't wait to get stuck into the  Bachelor of Visual Arts degree next year!"

To find out more about the markets, which are also the site of another one of Emma's initiatives,  'The Universe' pop -up art gallery, visit the Picton Creative Traders Markets facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/pictonmarkets

Testimonial: Robert Musgrave

Recent Fine Arts graduate, Robert Musgrave, gives us his thoughts on studying at TAFE.

What did you like most about studying fine arts at NADC?
Studying at TAFE gave me an opportunity to try my hand at a number of artistic disciplines, all within an extremely positive environment. This created a fertile ground for learning, in which I was free to explore and discover my own artistic direction. The teaching staff always managed to guide me in a personal and approachable way.

What are you doing now and how did TAFE help you get there?
I am currently studying at COFA (UNSW) majoring in Photo-Media. As I entered university I discovered my previous experience gained through TAFE, gave me an obvious advantage. It has also enhanced my learning abilities, making me more confident to take on the challenges of University level studies.

What are your plans and goals for the future?
In the future I want to continue my art practice as well seek employment in art education.

Anything else?
The relationships gained through my time at TAFE have proved invaluable and I still keep in contact with fellow students and teachers today.

Fine Arts Graduate Timothy Dale carves out his career

 

Artist Pat Brassington with Timothy Dale, who installed her exhibition at Stills Gallery.

Certificate IV in Fine Arts graduate Timothy Dale has been in continuous employment in the arts industry since finishing his study at Nepean Arts and Design Centre, TAFE Western Sydney Institute in 2006.

Timothy works as a exhibition installer, a job which is also known by the name of 'preparator'.

As a freelance installer in the museums and art industry, Timothy has worked for such clients as the Art Gallery of NSW, The Biennale of Sydney,  and a whole host of Regional Galleries,  commercial galleries and other clients such as local councils and the Australia Council for the Arts. In addition, Timothy handles and installs work by many great artists past and present in private homes throughout Sydney.

Timothy has been in continuous demand as a preparator since completing his course at NADC. The exhibition practice skills and  thorough and practical knowledge of art practices Timothy learnt at Nepean TAFE have stood him in great stead in his professional life. Recent career highlights have included installing work for the Biennale of Sydney, and for John Kaldor projects at the Art Gallery of NSW.

"My time spent at Nepean TAFE was a great lasting experience where hands-on practical skills in the arts industry were gained", says Timothy.

Timothy's long term goal is to obtain a senior installation position in a museum or gallery in Australia or overseas, and with his impressive track record so far, we have no doubt he will achieve his dream.

Testimonial: Anne-Marie Hawley

NADC  Fine arts graduate Anne-Marie Hawley

NADC Fine Arts graduate, Anne-Marie Hawley, who now teaches art full-time at a local high school, tells us how her training at NADC set her on the road to her career.

What did you like most about studying fine arts at NADC?
NADC offers an amazingly rich course that covers all the art disciplines thoroughly. The teachers bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and passion to the studio which creates an electric environment in which to learn. After studying at NADC for three years, I had established strong friendships with an incredibly diverse range of students from different stages of the course. Not only did my peers offer support and encouragement, there were some incredibly inspiring emerging artists who motivated you to excel.

What are you doing now and how did TAFE help you get there? 

I owe my passion for learning and the breadth and depth of my artistic skills to my studies at NADC.  I am a vocal promoter of TAFE to the next generation of budding artists who I teach at a Western Sydney high school. I have recently been employed on a full time basis and teach Visual Arts, Ceramics and Photography. Before that, I was building up my teaching experience as an educator at Penrith Regional Gallery and Cockatoo Island. After speaking to many arts trained teaching graduates, I know that I was walking into the arts education field with an advantage. NADC’s Fine Arts course gives you comprehensive experience across all the discipline in a way not offered by many tertiary institutions. Being able to teach so many disciplines with confidences has really enriched my programming and teaching in the classroom.

What are your plans and goals for the future?
I love art and I really enjoy teaching so I am intent on staying in the arts education industry. The high school at which I teach is currently enjoying great success across a range of local art and photography competitions. This is inspiring me to develop more learning experiences that enable my students to promote their work around the community and build the profile of Visual Arts at the school. Ultimately, I hope I am able to inspire my students to further their arts education in the same way NADC did for me.

Testimonial: Lenore Gee, Diploma of Fine Art

 Lenore Gee, Diploma of Fine Arts graduate, NADC

What did you like most about studying fine arts at NADC?
The things I most appreciate when looking back at my NADC experience were the varied level of skills that fellow students brought with them, from the complete novice to the more experienced, looking to extend their skills or gain academic standing as a pathway to further education. The teachers I experienced were practicing artists that offered a wealth of practical experience within a nurturing environment.

What are you doing now and how did TAFE help you get there?
I am currently in third year at COFA studying photo media and constantly appreciative of the strong grounding that TAFE has provided me within all art disciplines. I would never have found the confidence to attend university without both the experience and the encouragement acquired from the curriculum and teachers at TAFE.

What are your plans and goals for the future?
I plan to continue with both my studies within the arts and my art practice.

 Anything else?
Studying at TAFE was a lot more challenging than I had expected, it helped me to become confident in my ability to achieve in a structured educational environment, and within my own art practice.

Testimonial: Tia McIntyre, Diploma of Fine Arts

What did you like most about studying fine arts at NADC?
The teaching faculty at NADC really paid attention to the individual needs of the students. We all came to TAFE for different reasons and with different end goals.  I always felt supported and encouraged and have maintained relationships with my peers and teachers  in my professional life since graduating.

What are you doing now and how did TAFE help you get there?
My professional life in the arts industry has been a continuum from studying Fine Arts Diploma.  Studying at NADC provided me with the opportunity to establish a solid foundation in the arts industry before I graduated, making my transition into the workplace smooth and sustained.  In the years since graduating I have worked across numerous organisations developing and delivering arts projects that include curating, public art, events planning and project management, professional development programs for artists and arts based community development projects.

What are your plans and goals for the future?
I will continue in Arts Administration and Project Management and look forward to further study toward teaching in the future.

Testimonial: Julie Brockbank, Diploma of Fine Arts, 2008

 Julie Brockbank, NADC Fine Arts graduate

What did you like most about studying Fine Arts at NADC?
As a mature age student returning to study with a view to facilitating a career change, NADC provided a stimulating environment where I was able to develop skills and interact with like minded people.

What are you doing now and how did TAFE help you get there?
Currently I’m in my final year of a Bachelor of Fine Arts at COFA, UNSW.  I received advanced standing in a number of subjects as acknowledgment of my study at TAFE which fast tracked my degree.  With lots of encouragement from my TAFE teachers I developed the confidence and study ethic necessary to progress to University.

What are your plans and goals for the future?
Next year I hope to complete an Honours program at COFA and after that ... who knows !!!!

Anything else?
I’m a strong advocate of the TAFE system.  The practical and theoretical skills I gained at NADC provided a strong foundation for my studies at University.