Art and Design

Damiyr Saleem

My passion for art started at home. My mother and father are both artists and have inspired me with lectures and the work they produced. During my school days music was my main motive; however I always believed I was destined to be a designer.

I enjoy studying art and design. It provides a window into the highs and lows of the industry and prepares students on their journey of work. I have nothing but positive ratings for my tutors Nik and Christine because they have allowed us to "think outside the frame" and develop interesting ideas.

Those looking to study art and design at Lewisham college should be open minded and acknowledge that sometimes it takes a team effort to achieve something great.

Jodie Payne

My interest in art came from looking at artists like Henry Kondracki and Stanley Spencer who I think show their feelings in their artwork. What I love about my art course is that I can really experiment with my drawing and painting skills.

I like all the different projects I have done and I am pleased with what I have learnt. My teachers are supportive and experienced artists.  They have also helped me gain more confidence in what I do - I used to be quiet but now I'm more lively. So if you are looking to do an art course I recommend Lewisham College.

Students go on to study a range of Higher Education degrees, from Sculpture to Architecture and Photography to Graphic Design. In 2008 the Visual Arts department had over 90% progression to Higher Education (some students always want a break from studying), with students going to Camberwell College of Art, Ruskin College in Oxford, University of East London, Goldsmiths, Ravensbourne, Brighton and LCC.

The Art and Design department has new and well-equipped studio spaces and specialist photography (digital using our mac suite and black & white using our darkroom), printmaking and 3D construction equipment.

We have industry standard facilities and Tutors are practicing art and design professionals who deliver specialist training in them.

We have three specialist studios:

• The light and lens based media studio (B&W film and digital photography as well as graphics)
• The print studio (silkscreen, photo silkscreen, heat press, dry point, relief, collograph, mono printing etc)
• The 3D construction room (wood, plaster, wax, vyna-mould and non-traditional sculptural materials)

We also have a non-specialist 4th visual arts studio and separate ICT lab.

I was initially attracted to the College because I heard that the tutors were resident artists themselves, which was a big draw.

I'm doing a Fine Art option, but people can do things like design and animation too. The facilities here are really good, we've got studios and a dark room.

As an artist, since coming to Lewisham College I've grown more aware of contemporary art. I've also established a specialism, in sculptural installation, which is ideal for going on to university.

As a class we go on a lot of field trips and we're encouraged to work a lot outside the studio. We get written briefs, but it's up to us how we develop them.

I've got dyslexia, so I learn at a different pace to everyone else. The College provides extra support for people with dyslexia. It allows you to grow and blossom in your own way.

My main aim's always been to go off to university, I'm hoping to go to Brighton. The tutors have given me a lot of support with my application and advice on filling out my UCAS form and writing my personal statements.

My end goal is to become an established artist, but that's a very big goal, I might have to get other jobs in between.

The Foundation Art & Design course really gives you room to grow and nurtures you, and there are great opportunities for progressing on to Higher Education.