UHI Degree Show at Taigh Chearsabhagh
Four long years of study and many months of final preparations are coming to fruition for the art students at UHI’s North Uist Campus, based in Taigh Chearsabhagh.
The annual Degree Show will exhibit the work of graduating Fine Art students Sif Nielsen and Kathrhona Lawson. Sif moved from Denmark to study here, and has been based in Lochmaddy for the past four years. Kathrhona spent the first three years of her degree in Stirling, and came to Uist for her final year. Both artists were drawn to Uist by its natural environment and cultural heritage, and both have chosen to remain here to continue their work, joining a growing and vibrant community of artists that includes the Uist Arts Association, Taigh Chearsabhagh and UHI.
Running along side the degree show, the annual Open Studio exhibition will showcase the work of the other students studying at the North Uist campus, across both the one year NC Art and Design and the BA(Hons) Fine Art. The other students are: Jessie Coldwell, Emily Dodd, Nisha Hallberg, Andrew Wallace (NC Art and Design) Ami Robb, Liz French and Maggie Barker – BA(Hons) Fine Art.
The student population at Taigh Chearsabhagh is small but diverse, and that makes for a unique learning experience, as Course Leader Anne Mackenzie
explains: “Our current students range in age from 17 to 50, and last year we had a 70 year old who graduated from the course. Some are local, or from other parts of the Western Isles, and a good number came from across the UK and beyond to study here. That breadth of experience really adds value to the to the student’s time with us.”
Pictured is Nisha Hallberg, from Brighton, whose award winning designs for signage will be installed in the doorways at the new Cnoc Soillier building this summer. Nisha is heading off to Edinburgh to continue her studies.
Jessie Coldwell, who came to the NC course straight from Lionacleit School, was clear that the course has opened new doors for her: “I wouldn’t have chosen to pursue art as a study option if this course hadn’t been available locally. The portfolio preparation element has been so helpful in getting me ready to apply.” Jessie’s applications proved successful and she will be continuing her studies in Dundee.
The college is very much part of the community, and Anne encourages anyone with an interest in studying art to get in touch: “There are learning opportunities for different entry levels, so if you are a beginner or want to revisit your creativity after a gap, the NC course may be right for you or if you have an existing grounding in visual art and the academic qualifications, the BA (Hons) Fine Art offers an exciting opportunity.”
Both shows open on May 28th, with the Degree show closing on June 11th and the Open Studio exhibition continuing on until June 25th.
