Textiles Foundation – Open Evening

The Textiles Foundation is a unique year long course that supports those embarking on a creative journey, wishing to discover and refine their passion and skills for textiles, art, design and craft.

Workshops and projects are designed to explore traditional techniques and contemporary practices to expand individual approaches to making and thinking.

Taught across three terms, specialist practitioners provide a comprehensive investigation in to: drawing, design skills, constructed textiles, colour theory, screen printing, curatorial practice, portfolio preparation, conceptual head wear and machine knit. Tutors use a range of activities from gallery/ museum visits to group work and demonstrations to create a lively and productive studio atmosphere. Sketchbooks are used to support the documentation of works to create an ongoing archive of personal responses and research. The year culminates in a group exhibition in Morley Gallery, where students are provided with a platform to showcase a self-initiated project.

A well-respected course, previous students have progressed to high profile undergraduate and post graduate study programmes. Personal references are provided and more generally the course can support progression on to other more specialist courses, residencies, new routes for employment or recreational pursuits.

Our well maintained studio is bright and equipped with digital resources including Mac computers, A3 scanner and printers, a sustainable fabric library with fabrics for sale. The Morley College library holds a fantastic selection of relevant books, publications and journals and we also have a dye garden.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Create through drawing, design skills, constructed textiles, conceptual thinking & curation, colour theory, print, machine knit and conceptual headwear projects.

• Develop research skills in both a historical and practical context. Record in sketchbook

• Develop work in both 2D and 3D context

• Link theory and practice and evaluate all major projects and interpret these accordingly through personal reflection

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Create through drawing, design skills, constructed textiles, conceptual thinking & curation, colour theory, print, machine knit and conceptual headwear projects.

• Develop research skills in both a historical and practical context. Record in sketchbook

• Develop work in both 2D and 3D context

• Link theory and practice and evaluate all major projects and interpret these accordingly through personal reflection

• Share, discuss, and make constructive assessment of your own work and the work of others including peer group

• Prepare a portfolio in readiness for progression into other areas

• Make an application to other related courses, UCAS for BA or MA study, internships and employment/voluntary opportunities.

• Select and exhibit work for the end of year show

• Full fee

• £2995

• Concession fee

• £2250

Class format and activities

• With a maximum of 14 students you will work in a small supportive peer group. Hands-on workshops are guided by highly experienced subject specialists and dedicated tutors.

• Assessment and feedback is continuous through discussions, group and individual tutorials and increasingly, self-evaluations to help you develop professionally. In terms 1 and 2 themed set briefs will help develop strong research strategies, practical textile techniques and design skills. Briefs are devised to enable students to develop individual creative thinking as artists\designers. In term 3 you will devise work on your own Final Mayor Project towards the End of Year Foundation Exhibition in Morley Gallery.

Entry requirements

• The course operates 2 days a week – Mondays 10:00-17:00 including a one hour group tutorial and Tuesdays 10:00-16:00 with a commitment to around 10 hours of independent study each week. Entry is by interview with examples of artwork in any medium, and evidence of a strong interest and enthusiasm for textiles together with recent visits to exhibitions and galleries.

• Visit the textile studios, meet the tutors, and see examples of student work and course details. Ask questions and see if this specialist course is for you.

• Zoë Burt, Programme Manager for Textiles, can be contacted for further information about the course, or to arrange a studio visit and send out application forms. Her working days are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

zoe.burt@morleycollege.ac.uk or 02027 450 1843

What you need to know before you enrol

• The class is situated on the second floor of the Nancy Seear Building. There is partial disabled access is via a stair lift. Please contact additional learning needs (ALS) on: 0207 450 1972 before enrolling if you have any mobility support.

What you need

• Apron and rubber gloves. Notebook.

What you can do next

• University degree course, other Higher Education courses, join the Textiles Intermediate and Advanced Textile Workshop or other specialist courses at Morley.