Art

Truro Art Department has always had a fine tradition of excellence gaining excellent exam results in GCSE and A-level with many going on to study Art at foundation level. It is well supported by the School and in very much part of the exciting art culture that is prevalent throughout Cornwall. The aim of the department is to give the pupils the skills and the freedom to develop into skilled, self motivated and individual artists.

Facilities

The Art Department comprises of four large studios; a well-equipped ceramics and sculpture studio, two teaching studios and a life drawing and Artist in Residence studio. It also holds an extensive art library of books and videos/DVDs for reference. The art department is resourced with computers, scanners, colour printers, LCD projectors, specific art software and Internet access. There is also TV/Video equipment for screening relevant video material to all age groups.

Truro School possesses its own growing Art collection comprising many well-known local artists, which are a constant source of reference and inspiration to pupils and staff alike. There are two termly exhibitions of work by local artists where all can enjoy the work with chances for the students to meet with the artist and talk to them about their work.

Artist in Residence

Jane Ashdown studied fine art (sculpture and print) at the Ruskin, Oxford University and completed an MA at the University of Brighton.  After her degree she worked in London as a sculptor’s assistant but has since taught in a wide range of schools and colleges whilst developing her own work and exhibiting widely in the UK and in France.  She works mainly in print but has also undertaken sculpture commissions including a carved brick seat on the Sustrans cycle trail in Peterborough.  She has travelled extensively in China and Borneo and spent some time living in the foothills of the Pyrennees. 

During the residency she is hoping to establish an etching area for students and promote the use of print throughout the department, as well as developing her own work through drawing and print (etching and woodcut) and whatever else inspires her!

The Art Department

All pupils study art for their first two years in School. This stage is the transition stage where they learn, through short exciting projects, many of the basic art skills needed to proceed. During this year students join with six local schools to create an exhibition in a local gallery, with many artist lead workshops. In the third year pupils can choose whether they want to continue with the subject. This stage is the preparation for GCSE, focusing on basic drawing, painting and building skills. For GCSE, AS and A2 we follow the Edexcel specifications. At GCSE students are taught how to develop personal projects through the study of artists. By the end of GCSE pupils will have found their own style and identity. The AS year starts with a residential trip to Cape Cornwall where students are able to paint and draw en plain air as many local artists in Cornwall do and have in the past. Preparation for Foundation College is essential and life drawing is taught. During the A2 course pupils are taught to become artist in their own right and are given the chance to push their work to the highest possible standard.

Gallery link