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cross discipline Blog Posts- Page 3 of 7 - 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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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 creative challenges: Making miniatures, the basics thumb

OCA creative challenges: Making miniatures, the basics

In this workshop we will look at using basic materials and techniques to create a selection of miniature pieces. These basic skills and small projects will open the doors to an entire miniature world of possibilities.

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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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OCA creative challenges: Interior design basics thumb

OCA creative challenges: Interior design basics

This workshop will focus on practical interior design for your own home, which can be applied to any scale or budget. We will cover design, decor, organisation and room models, and will look into the basics of colour, pattern and upcycling techniques.

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Virtual study event: A little magic thumb

Virtual study event: A little magic

Whatever is your new reality, the OCA London group and Hayley Lock invite you to be part of a workshop that introduces, elevates and expands on new ways of thinking and working by offering new insights into the imaginative processes sustained by artists, by introducing wider reading, as well as support you through introducing imagination into your own making.

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OCA wellbeing: What’s in your wellness toolkit? thumb

OCA wellbeing: What’s in your wellness toolkit?

It’s a challenging situation we find ourselves in, and I realised that all of my usual ‘wellness tools’ are unavailable to me owing to the restrictions in place, so it’s no wonder even little day to day issues feel more difficult.

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OCA creative challenges: Making poseable dolls thumb

OCA creative challenges: Making poseable dolls

In this workshop we will be looking at making a very basic art doll with a completely soft body and sculpted clay face, but the skills that you will learn by doing this can be applied to more complex and ambitious projects.

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OCA creative challenges: Sewing & embroidery – the basics thumb

OCA creative challenges: Sewing & embroidery – the basics

Whatever reason you have for wanting to learn to sew or embroider, this workshop will take you through from basic stitches to embroidery techniques, including writing styles and decorative finesse. Below you will find a step by step slideshow and a downloadable pdf. Enjoy and share your creations with us using #WeAreOCA. 

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Tips on how to photograph your work for assessment thumb

Tips on how to photograph your work for assessment

In this short video I talk to OCA tutor and historical artefact photographer Derek Trillo. We discuss ways of making the most of the camera you have and how it is possible to take good quality photographs during lockdown. 

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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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