Recent Interviews

Picture: Setting up the work at West Kent

West Kent College took part in SEOS for the first time in 2007. It was the first time a college had participated. West Kent offers Greenwich University Fine Art courses up to BA Hons.

2007 was the first time SEOS welcomed a college into the Guide. We were thrilled as we could see that a college could gain both in terms of public interest and student experience. How was the actuality?

Well, I exhibited with a small group of my glass students in the 3D studio at college. The space we had was fine. It is a lesson in sharing the space. You are also of course reliant on other members to man the exhibition. I took the major responsibility and was there for three days out of the four. We had one wet rainy day which resulted in fewer visitors but unfortunately we were unaware that the Tonbridge Carnival was scheduled for yet another day - and the college had invited their floats to use the car park!
Some visitors seemed quite nervous of the college environment; not sure what they were coming into, so we did a lot of talking which they really enjoyed. Once in they were very curious, taking the chance to have a look at the studio. We were working at the same time, so we could talk and then go back to work, but in reality, very little real work got done.

What sort of visitors did you get?
We had a good cross section of all ages. Several were groups in their mid 20’s and 30’s that were spending a day looking at Open Studios in our area. We also had people taking the opportunity to look at the Fine Art Department with a view to becoming a student.

Did you get any students from doing SEOS?
We did. They were all adults, potentially looking for further study opportunities.
We gained a Degree student, four HND and two Pre-Foundation students from doing those four days.

What do you feel the students got from it?
I feel perhaps we were not very focused on making the work saleable. But then it’s a fine art process we are involved in, rather than the functional aspect. I think we should have had the work itself priced rather than just having a notice saying it was for sale. In the future we would consider putting together a price list.
For most of the students it was their first show and it will go on their CV. It’s an opportunity to organise, present and talk about their work on a professional level to the public.

Did anything come from own personal entry in the Guide?
I was amazed that from the moment the catalogue came out there were people wanting to sell me art services to enhance my art work; obviously people were looking at it.
I had several galleries offer to take my glass work and to exhibit in shows.
I also had an offer of summer school work from a Grammar school, which I was sadly too committed to take up.

Will you be showing again in 2008?
June is the busiest time for us at college. We have end of year shows and assessments which is all very time consuming and stressful.
Not knowing what extra space will be available to exhibit in makes it difficult to commit in January.  But it was a very good experience and I am still thinking about it. Hopefully we will be able to expand the participation and open it up to our painting and print making students.

Many thanks to Jane for her time.

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