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OCA wellbeing: Running thumb

OCA wellbeing: Running

I realise I am very fortunate to be in my running group.  It has opened my eyes to all the virtual experiences that people can now engage with.  Lockdown has resulted in the creation of so many activities to connect people – virtual running competitions, online courses, online counselling – the list goes on.  Being removed from family and friends is difficult, but having a great group of people online has kept me going.  I can’t wait until we can run together again.

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OCA wellbeing: Gardening for mental health thumb

OCA wellbeing: Gardening for mental health

Lockdown in mid-March prompted two responses. First was a recognition that getting outside for parts of the day without bumping into other humans would become a very valuable thing. Second, I had some new time, that used to be spent travelling and trolling the train companies about their poor service, and I could put this to good use by sorting out my embarrassing back garden.

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Keith Tyson: Isolation Art School thumb

Keith Tyson: Isolation Art School

In recent weeks Turner Prize winning artist Keith Tyson (born 1969) has been putting a lot of energy into his ‘Isolation Art School’ on Instagram. This initiative has encouraged practitioners to offer tips and tutorials about making and to then post them on Instagram with the hashtag #isolationartschool.

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Victory in Europe Day – 8 May 1945 – 75th Anniversary 2020 thumb

Victory in Europe Day – 8 May 1945 – 75th Anniversary 2020

This Friday Bank Holiday, 8 May 2020, marks the 75th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), the end of fighting in Europe in 1945. Fighting in the Far East against Japan would continue for a further three months, costing the lives of many more servicemen and women, and civilian deaths in the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki before the final surrender on August 15 1945.

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Unmasking the everyday: part one thumb

Unmasking the everyday: part one

Queues outside supermarkets have become strange symbols of this, epitomising how one of life’s most everyday activities has come to feel risky and dangerous. The usually unnoticed has become unsettlingly conspicuous. 

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Edge-zine issue 9: Inside thumb

Edge-zine issue 9: Inside

From Vicky Mackenzie’s ‘Tutors thoughts’ through Steve Cusson’s work ‘Prison Cinema’ and onto Therese Livonne and her self portrait the 9th edition of Edge-zine is packed with thought provoking work and articles from across the Open College of the Arts range of disciplines.

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Group work review: Fine Art thumb

Group work review: Fine Art

I want to give a big ‘thank-you’ to Caroline, Helen and Dan for their dedication in developing our skills within the Fine Art framework. At these times of increasing social distancing and isolation these sessions will be a huge motivator, and I would encourage all students on the Fine Art Pathway to join us. 

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Stay creative thumb

Stay creative

Choosing and continuing to be creative is a really important act of self-care.  Whether you write, draw, sew, sculpt, paint, photograph or play an instrument, you can improve your mental wellbeing.  Over the coming weeks OCA will post open, creative content that everyone can get involved in.

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Student stories: In conversation with: Caroline Conolly thumb

Student stories: In conversation with: Caroline Conolly

Caroline Conolly is part-way through her first OCA Level 1 course, Exploring Drawing Media. During assignment 2 her tutor, Cheryl Huntbach noticed a liberated, curiosity and playful approach to Caroline’s drawing processes and methodologies. She invited Caroline to have a conversation about her approaches and ideas, which might be equally fascinating and insightful for other students to read.

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