Abbeyleix FEC reaching new levels
ABBEYLEIX Further Education Centre will be officially launching their Level 6 courses on Wednesday February 24 when they host an open morning as part of Adult Learners Week. The Advanced Certificate in Art and Business and Advanced Certificate in Business ( both FETAC level 6) has been running in the centre since last September and both courses have been very successful throughout the past year.
The art PLC course has been running in the centre for the past eleven years under the watchful eye of course co-ordinator Jackie Carter. This PLC course now provides FETAC Level 5 and Level 6 and facilitates students who hope to progress towards college as well as giving an opportunity to artists to refresh their skills. This is fast becoming one of the most recognised PLC courses in the country, with high examination results and a large volume of past students gaining entry into art collages around the country.
Twenty students are currently completing Level 5 this year where they are taught basic skills in art, painting, drawing and design. The students are also taught how to develop concepts, ideas and themes. The twelve Level 6 students, many of whom have progressed from Level 5, concentrate on professional practice, studio practice and exhibition techniques as well as continuing their art work.
All students work in an open plan studio, each with their own spaces. "This was a conscious decision to have the two levels work alongside eachother in the studio, and they work quite well together. Level 6 students are more experienced and are a great help to Level 5, who may need the influence and experience", said Jackie Carter of the studio. "It is a creative room where everyone is working towards the same goal". This course provides an opportunity for people who may have had experience in other areas, and completed degrees in other courses a chance to refresh their memory and change direction. "Students are qualified enough after two years in Abbeyleix to go out into the workplace," Jackie said. "There are also opportunities for some students to progress straight into second year when they reach college with a Level 6 qualification".
Within the course, students are given the opportunity to explore many different art forms, as well as learning about art history and contemporary artists. The course has links to colleges around the country including NCAD, Limerick School of Art and Design and GMIT, and students are taken on gallery and class trips each year. "This is what art college should be about, to make art a way of life for the students", according to Jackie. "It is highly advisable for those thinking of going to college to complete a PLC course. In secondary school students can concentrate on their Leaving Certificate, and then do a PLC where they can learn the language of art".
Jackie admits that 1st year college courses do tend to be similar to the PLC, but she emphasised the importance for completing a PLC. "Going straight into 1st year, students are going in cold, they haven't made any connections or bonds. This course has a family atmosphere. Students must also remember that competition is very high for art college places. There are roughly 600 college places in the country with thousands of applicants each year”.
The students of the course, are also under the guidance of tutors Edel O’ Keefe and Jock Nichol, who work part time in the studio. All three tutors are practicing artists, something Jackie thinks is very important. “We all influence eachother. When we are not working we are all practicing and reading. If you are involved in contemporary art, your work and teaching could get very stale”.
Those interested in applying to Abbeyleix FEC can do so until March 1. Application details are available online at www.abbeyleixfec.ie. Taster days are also on option for students who wish to visit the studio before they make a decision. All prospective students are interviewed before they are accepted and must provide a portfolio of their work so far. “We don’t judge on drawing skills as these can be improved on, but it is very important that students show an interest in art. anyone interested in applying can come in and talk to the tutors and get a feel for the place”.
Last years PLC students completed their year in Abbeyleix with an exhibition in the Dunamaise Art Centre and Jackie is hoping this year’s class will have the same opportunity. “It is important to exhibit in a professional space and in galleries. This is great experience for the students. The course is a great opportunity to study a broad range of subjects in a creative environment and to work with great tutors”.
Abbeyleix FEC offers a number of courses from Level 3 to Level 6, including business, nursing and community care, as well as a Junior and Leaving Certificate programme and VTOS courses. For information on the centre’s open day and any of the courses available, visit www.abbeyleixfec.ie or contact 057 87 31127.
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Friday 18 May 2012
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