For me, this is a very special Thursday Doors post. This month, our youngest has just completed a Fetac Level 5 course in Art, Craft and Design at St. John’s college, Cork. This is a long established portfolio course and many of its graduates go on to study in various art and design colleges throughout Ireland and the UK. By sampling a wide choice of components, students are given the opportunity to try out different branches of the arts before committing to a higher education course. The work done throughout the year was on exhibition at the college. I hope you can see from the photographs how much effort and creativity went into these projects.
This colourful door led us to Graphic Design.
Another door led to Jewelry & Art Metal Craft
Then we made our way to Fashion Design
There was even a course in Musical Instrument Making & Repair
Below are some examples of the Art, Craft & Design course that my daughter attended. I was amazed by the wide variety of creative ideas and how each student has developed their own unique style.
I was also very impressed by this student’s work.
But I’m biased – I’m her mother!
Thanks so much for stopping by. If you would like to view more Thursday Doors, have a look at Norm’s blog and follow the blue ‘frog’ link at the bottom of his post – and if you have a door or two of your own to share, why not join in the fun.
Beautiful work, Jean. I love seeing these displays. It’s so refreshing to see young talented minds at work. I remember exhibits like this when our daughter was in art school. So much enthusiasm and creativity on display. Congratulations to your daughter!
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Thank you, Dan. The challenge is carrying that enthusiasm through life, isn’t it?
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Indeed !!
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How fantastic! This looks a great place. Your lucky daughter to have had this experience. Congratulations to her on her work. I especially like the way she’s caught the broken glass.
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That was one of her first pieces, Susi. I like it a lot.
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You have a very good reason to be a proud mother! It appears the creative gene runs strong in your family 🙂
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Definitely visual art seems to be in the genes, Joanne. My mother and her sister took up painting in their fifties and even sold some of their work and both of their parents worked in charcoal and watercolour but only as a hobby. I think everyone is capable of expressing their creativity if given half a chance.
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Congratulations to you and your daughter, Jean. Thanks for sharing your lovely photos.
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Thanks so much. Have a lovely weekend.
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Congratulations to your daughter! She’s very talented! What a neat experience for her and the students.
Their works are wonderful.
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It’s amazing what people can do when given the right environment and encouragement, Deborah.
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These are the kinds of things I like to peruse how other people like to shop! 🙂 Thanks for sharing your daughter’s success with us, it was an interesting tour.
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There was so much to see, I couldn’t fit it all in the post, Joey.
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Always a pleasure to see my fellow artists learn, grow, and create. Wonderful post, Jean, and congratulations to your daughter.
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Thank you, Jack. She’s got her results to day and it was even better than she expected. She wants to study for a degree in Fine Art and needed three Distinctions to get on the course. She’s all smiles now.
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Wonderful!
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This is the line that impressed me: “By sampling a wide choice of components, students are given the opportunity to try out different branches of the arts before committing to a higher education course.” This is wonderful, Jean! Lovely photographs, as always from you. Slainte!
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Thank you, Claire. There are so many courses in visual arts it can be difficult to make a choice. I think it’s great to be able to try some out before deciding on what to study for the next four years.
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I could use a course in instrument repair, because I have a handmade (made in Spain) guitar with a neck that with time has a neck that’s bowing the wrong way (so the strings keep breaking) -and they don’t know what to do with it at the music store.
What a diversity – is this your daughter’s first exhibit? (it’s nerve wrecking!) Love the thoughts behind the “skin deep”! Congrats to your daughter:) Does she know what will come next?
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You can tell me to MYOB if you like because I’m no expert, but if the neck is made using techniques from the last 100 years or so it may be as simple as adjusting the truss rod.
The what? Well, there should be a threaded steel rod that runs inside the length of the neck to brace and compensate for the neck’s tendency to bow under tension. It might be worth looking into this 🙂
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You certainly know your guitars, Norm. That sounds like it might do the trick, Jesh.
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Thanks, Norm. At first I was stumped about the meaning of MYOB, (laughing – but I now get it) – when I’ll go to the store I’ll ask them!
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Yes, it’s her first exhibit and it was a bit nerve-wrecking for her but the rest of her class were in the same boat so she wasn’t the only one. She applied for a place at an art college in Cork City, to study for a BA honours degree in Fine Art. She got full marks for her portfolio but needed a certain number of Distinctions for the year’s modules she had completed. Her results came through today and it was good news. 🙂
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Yay, happy for her -am sure she’s do fine in her next training!
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Congrats to both proud Mom and daughter.
Over the years I’ve been involved in sponsoring a number of wood furniture construction and design programs through my past employer. Attending the year-end events where the graduating class exhibits their projects, was always the highlight for me. The talent and fresh ideas you see on display at these events is so uplifting. 🙂
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Sponsoring those programs is so worthwhile, it must be such a good feeling to have a part in that, Norm. That’s a perfect description of how I felt seeing all that wonderful creativity – uplifted.
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Congrats to you and your daughter. I hope she continues to pursue her passion.
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Thank you, Judy. I hope so, too.
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Congratulations to the youngest!
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Thank you Mel and Suan. 🙂
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Bravo for your daughter
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Many thanks, Candy 🙂
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I happened to read that your mother and sister took up painting in their fifties -do you know that that happens a lot (statistically)?
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Now you mention it, I know quite a few people who took up painting in their later years. I wonder is that due to less support for the arts in the education system in the past or having more time when the kids are grown. I started writing in earnest myself in my fifties. Maybe when our family responsibilities lessen our creative side gets a bit more attention. No doubt there has been some research into that already (by someone in their fifties with enough time on their hands) lol.
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Me thinks it’s all the reasons you brought up, and I add the reason that in society nowadays is one of financial success and performance. Only 15 % of artists can make a living off their art. I remember that my parents did whatever they could to discourage me to do any art. So I didn’t tell them of all winning a local art prize every year during high school, lol.
Encouraging to hear that you have written so many books, all after your fiftieth. Wow what an accomplishment!
You probably heard of the phenomenon that people in their 40ties and over suddenly remember something of their childhood? Usually it is abuse or something of that nature. But around 8 years ago I suddenly saw myself as a 10 year old writing -in the house where we then lived, and couldn’t stop writing. When I asked my youngest brother if this was true, he laughed, “Yeah I used to read your stories.” (He did that in secret!)
Except of stories of artist’s lives, there has been done very little “normal” research (with statistics and so on). It would be hard to do, because of the definition of “art” and who is an artist, and who not.
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Wow, writing stories that young – you could definitely publish some books, Jesh. 🙂
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The boldness I have with painting, totally is lacking with writing -am petrified!
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Most interesting pictures. Congrats to your daughter. I wish her every success in the future 😊
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Thank you, Helen. I’ll pass that on to her.
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😄
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I’m impressed they include instruments in the mix! Congratulations sent your daughter’s way from Missouri!!
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How exciting for your daughter, and for you. Great art!
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Thanks, Jennie. She has a lot of studying and work ahead but is looking forward to it.
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🙂
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Congratulations to you and your daughter! The artwork is impressive and at this level it is exciting to hear about their aspirations and next steps.I do hope the next ‘door’ your daughter steps through brings her much happiness and closer to her own career goals.
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Thank so much, I hope so, too. 🙂
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Wow a hell of a lot of creativity going on in that building! You have a very talented daughter. 💕
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There were three floors of every kind of visual art you could imagine, Ali, from photography to animation.
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Ah, how lovely, you must be so supremely proud of your baby girl…
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I am, Vicky. 🙂
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I love to hear about creative young people! Best of luck to her. I appreciate parents who encourage their kids to develop their creative talents. Good job, Jean!
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Thanks, Patti. She worked really hard, so a good result is well deserved.
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Nice works, congrats for the youngest 🙂
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Thank you 🙂
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