Explore Your Creativity with UWTSD's Art After Dark Programme

25 September 2024

UWTSD’s Swansea College of Art is once again running its highly popular Art After Dark programme, a series of evening courses designed for individuals looking to develop their creative skills in various disciplines. Running throughout the year, Art After Dark offers accredited Level 4 courses (10 credits), perfect for beginners or those wanting to expand their knowledge in creative fields such as design and applied arts, photography, film, digital media, and fine art.

A smiling surface pattern and design graduate standing in front of colourful work.

Courses are hosted at the college’s cutting-edge facilities in the Alex Design Exchange and Dynevor Centre for Art, Design and Media. With access to industry-standard equipment and expert guidance, participants can develop their portfolios, explore new subjects, or even prepare for further study.

This year, the Surface Pattern for Textiles course, beginning in October, will be taught by recent UWTSD graduate and eco-centric fashion designer Lucy Ralph (pictured), known professionally as ‘Lucytrousers.’

Lucy is a freelance designer and workshop facilitator with a passion for sustainable fashion. She is currently working with Hacer on Swansea’s Biophilic Project and is known for her innovative approaches to fabric design and upcycling.

She will lead workshops on mood-board design and screen printing with a focus on upcycling and sustainable fashion, making this course a must for anyone interested in eco-conscious design practices.

Lucy’s dynamic approach to teaching draws from her own experience as a student of Surface Pattern and Textiles at UWTSD, where she honed her skills in creating innovative and sustainable fashion.

“My time as a student shaped me as a designer,” says Lucy. “It was a dynamic learning experience that encouraged experimentation across multiple disciplines. I loved having access to various workshops and the opportunity to engage in both live briefs and self-directed projects, which prepared me for my career.”

The courses run once a week in the evening (5.30pm to 8.30pm), providing a flexible opportunity for learners aged 16+ to pursue their creative ambitions.

UWTSD students from other subject areas can apply for career development bursaries to cover £200 of the course fee, making it an affordable way to develop or extend an art portfolio.