Codi'r Bar 2012/2013

Drawing

The first of six Raising the Bar Master Classes; Drawing with Keith Bayliss, a Swanseabased visual artist, took place in Mission Gallery’s new education space. Drawing was an important starting point for the development of the participant’s technical skill and was used in a variety of alternative ways to improve the young artists attitude to the medium. The participants were made aware of many artists; both internationally and nationally acclaimed, who have a prominence within the arts and are important references for anyone that has an interest in art and design.

Animation

The Raising the Bar Master Class in Animation was an opportunity for the participants to gain an understanding in an unfamiliar arts practice, where their drawing skills could be used in a completely new way. They were taught the necessary skills to understand the basics of 2D animation using Adobe Flash by Alex Chapman, a professional 2D animator and previous Artist in Residence at SMU that uses the medium regularly.

Conceptual Arts Practice  

Participants were invited to work with Bella Kerr, during her ‘Keeper’ exhibition inMission Galleryin April 2013. Bella’s practice incorporates narrative, the art object and the visual arts. Participants were encouraged to relate to these three elements whilst constructing a red ball out of a variety of materials. Whilst being led towards ideas of making, the group were challenged to think about their intentions, and consider the boundaries between craft and fine art. Skills such as felt making and knitting were employed to explore these themes, along with more exploratory techniques with papers and other basic materials, all of which broadened the appreciation for methods of making. 

Fashion

Anna Lewis, an artist and lecturer at Swansea Met held a Master Class in Fashion, working to the theme of ‘Flight’. Following the theme, students created abstract designs related to birds and feather like forms. Their designs were then drawn as digital files using Adobe Illustrator and used to cut repeat shapes from paper and heat transferred fabric using a laser cutter. The pupils then went on to design and construct a wearable body piece using their cut materials. 

Glass

The Master Class in Glass took place in Swansea School of Architectural Glass, with artist and lecturer Lisa Burkl. The group began by learning how to cut and arrange glass, creating a design of their choice. They then went on to think about colour, and how basic combinations can improve the appearance of the piece of glass work. Once the glass pieces were cut, arranged and secured they were put into square black frames to enhance the colours and composition of the pieces. To challenge the notion of scale, the pieces were added to small structures and were photographed next to small wooden pieces of furniture to create the illusion of large stained glass windows. 

Photography

Pupils began by experimenting in the studio, with a variety of lighting equipment to achieve different effects and were encouraged to shoot out of auto mode to gain more accurate results. During the afternoon, the group went on location to theDylanThomasTheatreto experiment in surroundings including the back stage areas, the dressing rooms, store rooms and the stage itself. This was a very unique and challenging space that encouraged the pupils to think creatively, whilst applying lighting techniques and photography skills.