Your chance to get creative
Andrea Healy is the head of creative technologies at University Studies at West Suffolk College. Here she discusses a community art project and creativity in general at the expanding higher education facility based in Bury St Edmunds.
As a former musician myself, I love the creative world and the staff we employ all have some kind of background in the industry that they are teaching in. Personally speaking, after graduating with first class honours in music production, I signed for a small independent label and got a real insight into how the music world works – learning massive lessons along the way that enables me to inform my students of the pitfalls and positives of a career in this field. I also maintain great links with various organisations including the Royal Philharmonic and Suffolk Philharmonic Orchestras.
Working with local and national organisations is a massive part of what we do at University Studies at West Suffolk College and the latest project we are working on is a real collective community collaboration. The project is called ‘The Fold’ and the aim is to build a library of publications that will help showcase the creative skills of our students, staff, alumni and also you - the local community. Essentially, anyone who has something to say and is willing to create artistic content can get involved in a brand new competition by creating a ‘zine’ – or a small independently published non-commercial print work.
We have two categories - and all entries will be judged by an independent panel of experts. The first category is seeking the ‘Fold Artist of the Year Award 2023’. This title will be awarded to the person who the panel decides has created a ‘zine’ that excels in the realm of artistry and design. Subject matter does not take priority in this category and so the focus will be on imagery and aesthetics. The winning applicant will demonstrate outstanding creativity, an appropriate use of creative processes and a keen eye for visual communication.
The second category is seeking the ‘Fold Soapbox Award 2023’. The winner of this category will be given to the person who has demonstrated passion and intelligence in putting an important message across within their ‘zine’. Visual design should takes less of a priority in this category and the focus will be judged on the message the creator has chosen to communicate and any written content contained within.
(All categories will include two runners up prizes).
Our panel includes some of our own lecturers along with the award winning illustrator, David Hughes, Cameron Brown from the Allegro design Agency, the artist and designer, Krysten Newby and the competition has also received external support from Joy Denny who works for Denny Brothers Art Supplies Ltd. As previously mentioned, you don't have to be a student to enter and if you would like any more details about this competition that aims to enthuse and inspire the creative juices in everyone living in and around the town, and some of the great prizes on offer, then please get in touch with me: andrea.healy@wsc.ac.uk
Even if you don’t want to get involved in the competition, then please do come and have a look around our amazing facilities based on Beetons Way (near to Asda). We continually showcase our students work throughout the year and our facilities are expanding all the time. For example, we have just completed work on a new XR lab that has tomorrows technology today all in one place. It will change the face of learning that we can offer and looks like something out of sci-fi film set.
We’d love to welcome you for a tour and a look around.
We have already supported thousands of creative souls via the degrees that we offer – hopefully you will be next…….