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We are pleased to share a showcase of work from the BA (Hons) Drawing at Open College of the Arts, curated by their Programme Leader, Emma Drye from work submitted at the completion of their course units.
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Stage 3 BA (Hons) Painting student Paul McGinty is currently exhibiting at the Adam Smith Heritage Centre in Kirkcaldy. Here, Painting Programme Leader Emma Drye joins him in conversation to find out more about his work and plans.
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We are pleased to share a showcase of work from the BA (Hons) Painting at Open College of the Arts, curated by their Programme Leader, Emma Drye from work submitted at the completion of their course units.
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Congratulations to our Creative Arts tutor Rachel Smith for being one of five nominated artists in the UK, to be considered for the Women to Watch exhibition series, which will be held at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington DC in 2027.
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Reaching the final unit of your stage 3 (HE6) studies is a thrilling moment, but filled with some trepidation. In the Creative Writing Department, The final unit, 3.3 asks the student to create a self-directed outwardly facing project, by clarifying what they want to do as a creative practitioner, so that they graduate knowing where their writing can take them, and how to approach readers, agents, editors, publishers, audiences and producers in a professional manner.
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Completing a degree course is not only a significant achievement, it is also a point that marks a shift from study to new ventures and possibilities. MA Fine Art students Vivi Consta, Shelley Lafferty, Debbie New, Michelle Johnson and Yvonne Pethulis are that this exciting juncture, having graduated earlier in 2025. Now that some weeks have passed, I asked them to reflect on their MA Exhibition and any plans they have for the future.
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In September 2025, a cohort of internationally based OCA students completed their MA Fine Art degree. Over a period of two years, they have studied together, engaging in various forms of learning, including critiques, discussions, presentations, lectures, and interactive workshops.
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As a theatre production teacher and student of the creative arts, I work across several disciplines, including theatre design, textiles, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and film. Most of my work involves textiles in one form or another, but I would not limit myself to textiles alone and often my work involves combining disciplines to achieve an effective outcome.
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There are moments in the life of a creative practitioner when you glimpse yourself, as if from the outside, and are confronted by the question: Is this a productive, or even sane, use of my time? I experienced one such moment during the creation of my latest album.
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Open College of the Arts extends many congratulations to OCA painting tutor Jo Whittle who was one of the final four shortlisted for the John Moores painting Prize 2025 and is currently taking part in the winners exhibition at the Walker Art Gallery.
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