Art

Art at Ardingly

The beautiful, bright, spacious Art School houses a large gallery, 4 Studios including a Textiles room, a 6th form teaching room, an extensive art library and IT Suite, a darkroom and kiln room. We have an international reputation, attracting students because of the quality of the art teaching and visitors to the art school have often commented on the impressive space and diverse work displayed within it. The art department has acted as a deciding factor in many creative students ultimately choosing to attend Ardingly.

We encourage all students to discover their personal strengths and offer the following techniques through our teaching;

Painting - acrylic, oil, watercolour, mixed media
Printing - lino, silk screen, monoprint, etching
Textiles - machine stitch, repeat print, fashion, construction
Ceramics - casting, slab, coil, pots, tiles
Drawing - life class, charcoal, graphite, ink, line
ICT - photographic manipulation, stop frame animation, stills

We are always open to fresh ideas and support them fully.

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A busy year in the Art Department

The Senior School Art Department has had another successful, jam packed year of activities, trips and talks whilst maintaining its characteristic air of creativity and calm throughout lesson times and extra activity sessions.

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Sculptures around our grounds

Some of the more observant amongst you may have noticed that some sculpture work has escaped from the art department and is now displayed around the College grounds. The work was created as part of IB and A Level projects and was specifically made to be displayed outside in the environment. The large tree outside the Prep School entrance has Rafael Jardim’s large scale transparent seed pod hanging from the branches, making a bold statement as you enter the College. Perched on the rooftops overlooking the Terrace are rows of metal crows made by Euan Greaves-Smith, and spinning beneath the hanging branches of a tree on the grass opposite is the decorative wise owl made by Lisa Kroiss. Within the buildings, outside the entrance to the Art Galleries, hangs Anna Cook’s large scale Wooden Leaf Panel. Less noticeable is a painted tree nestled in a wooded glade near the Swimming Pool, completed by Sophia Syed. All students will leave their artistic mark on the College as they leave in June and should be congratulated on the success of their hard work.

Art Outings

The sixth form art trip to Paris this Easter was a huge success. The group stayed in the hub of the city and packed in visits to many areas and museums. They took time to absorb the atmosphere of Paris and the bright spring sunshine permitted a walk to the Eiffel Tower, around the area of Notre Dame, the Tuileries Gardens and a day in bohemian Montmartre. Work was undertaken in the amazing Musée d'Orsay, the beautiful little Musée de l'Orangerie, The Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville du Paris and the huge Pompidou Centre. A portrait competition was hotly contested and judged by staff on the steps of the Sacre Coeur – but the expressive use of colour used by one student in his portrait of a friend won him the prize of a Monet Rubik’s Cube! The positive, friendly and hard working attitudes of all on the trip meant the four days will remain memorable for all involved.

‘Better Tomorrows’ recycled sculpture competition

The Art Department L6th IB students have recently created work for a West Sussex Eco ‘Better Tomorrows’ recycled sculpture competition.

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IB Art Exhibition

Thursday 22nd March brought the arrival of the final art exhibition of Visual Arts Work, after nearly two years of creativity from the U6th students.

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The Second Staff Art Exhibition

On Wednesday 12th October the 2011 Staff Art Exhibition was unveiled in the Senior School Gallery, showing the wealth of creative talent the College possesses.

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'Power Undressed'

Last years' Upper sixth student Anna Wise gained a prestigious finalists' position in the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Student Exhibition with her playful diptych 'Power Undressed'.

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