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Students Blog Posts - The Open College of the Arts

To find out more details about the transfer to The Open University see A New Chapter for OCA.

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Student stories: David McGuire thumb

Student stories: David McGuire

David McGuire is a Level Three painting student. He has recently had work exhibited in group shows organised by arts societies of which he is a member. In this short interview he speaks a little about that process and what it means for his wider practice.

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Exhibition in situ – Drifting by the Leeds & Liverpool thumb

Exhibition in situ – Drifting by the Leeds & Liverpool

As well as presenting my exhibition, I look back near the end of my OCA time, after years of assignments and assessments, highs and lows, applause and disinterest, and ask was it worth it? I suspect the percentage of those starting that finish is small – a flip-side of open access and the many obstacles life can throw during years of part-time study. Though, I of course was hoping for more than an endurance test and good fortune! 

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Student stories: Geraldine Leahy thumb

Student stories: Geraldine Leahy

OCA Painting student Geraldine Leahy successfully completed her Major Project this year and is now embarking on her final course – Sustaining Your Practice. Geraldine currently has work featured in an online publication as well as other platforms. Her Major Project tutor, Clare Wilson, asks her to discuss these opportunities and the of impact of getting work seen by a larger audience. 

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OCA student: Patricia Farrar thumb

OCA student: Patricia Farrar

Words had always had special meaning for me and many times poetry formed the basis of the creative process. I didn’t question this any more and it seemed that the process into the painting flowed with such unquestioning ease. I had found my voice! I had found me!

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Patricia Farrar coloured my world thumb

Patricia Farrar coloured my world

I am heartbroken to have to share the news that OCA student and artist Patricia Farrar passed away at the weekend.

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National Stress Awareness Month thumb

National Stress Awareness Month

The month of April is National Stress Awareness month, organised by the Stress Management Society. After the year we’ve had I’m sure everyone is feeling stress in at least one aspect of their lives. Whether it’s additional work responsibilities, no work, ill health, mental health, or anything in between there’s a lot going on that […]

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My final year challenge by student photographer, Veronica Worrall thumb

My final year challenge by student photographer, Veronica Worrall

Study Event (virtual)  27th March 2021 Unseen Connections – A Year of Adaptions  Rational, Preparation and Outcomes  My final year challenge by student photographer, Veronica Worrall  “The art of life is a constant readjustment to our surroundings.” ~Kakuzo Okakaura   The modern humans’ ability to modify to novel environments relies not only on genetic mutations […]

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Happy Movement thumb

Happy Movement

Student work uncovered – new painting student Emily Costello with a contribution from programme leader, Emma Drye. EC: Here is one of my temporary artwork pieces. I had the idea of creating a happy moving piece of a child outside playing. I used flour and a sieve to create it, I really love the details […]

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