Over the past few days QSS have had the absolute pleasure of working with a small group of budding artists from Year 13 Boys & Girls Model Secondary School, North Belfast on our Art_101 Portfolio Building Pilot.

In collaboration with Ulster University Belfast School of Art, the QSS Art_101 Portfolio Building course has introduced the students to a creative art and design learning environment in the unique setting of QSS Studios and Gallery.

Over a period of 3 days students have had the opportunity to work with QSS professional artists (including graduates from BSoA) to learn and develop skills across a range of art and design areas. The focus of this short course is to support students in preparing for portfolio application to BA (Hons) Art and Design (Foundation Year for Specialist Degrees) at Belfast School of Art, and beyond.

QSS Studios & Gallery is home to 50 professional artists at varying stages of their careers who work in a variety of media. This professional artist studio learning environment will enable students to see and experience potential career possibilities available to art and design graduates, while overall, this course will build confidence in young people interested in the arts, in accessing higher education.

We couldn’t have wished for a nicer group of young people to work with for this pilot, so engaged and talented, we are excited to see where their artistic journey takes them.

Thank you to Boys & Girls Model, Lorrainne Lavery-Bowen & Leighann McConville from Ulster University Schools Outreach, QSS artists Alacoque Davey, Charlie Scott, Jane Rainey, Joy Gerrard, Niamh Clarke & Sharon Kelly for their amazing guidance at each workshop and huge thanks to the students themselves for being so open and creating such beautiful works of art over the past three days.

Wednesday 14th June

Thursday 15th June