Two Art and Design students at Northampton College are looking forward to a bright future having accepted places to continue their studies at two of the leading art colleges in the country.
Sophie Carter and Lucy Mason will progress from the art rooms at Booth Lane to the globally respected Goldsmiths and the Chelsea College of Arts respectively.
The pair have worked under the guidance of Sophie Pennington and Jayne Williams to produce a portfolio of incredible artwork that has helped them beat off competition from hundreds of students across the country and land the coveted places at the two illustrious art colleges.
Sophie, aged 19 and from Wellingborough, said: Coming to college has made me look at art in a different way and now I'm thrilled to have accepted a place at Goldsmiths in London. Painting was always my main passion but at college I've discovered model making and that's something I've really developed. I've created a series of clay and wire marionettes, little puppets depicting imaginary characters. It was a way of taking my portraiture work and turning into a 3D medium.
Initially I was quite sceptical about college courses because I was so set on going to University but I knew I needed a Foundation course to get into uni and it was a great way of learning and developing my skills. I've had an amazing time and the teachers have been superb, just letting us explore, experiment and go for it'.
Lucy Mason, aged 18 from The Headlands in Northampton, said: The sheer number of materials and equipment available at Northampton College allowed me to explore new ways of working and expanded my repertoire from the simple drawing and painting you do at school to things such as lino and mono printing. It's helped make me strong conceptually and allowed me to push boundaries. It's made me a lot more confident in my work.
The staff were really helpful and supportive and have always pushed us to do bigger and better things. I enjoyed the critical discussion sessions we had as a group, which helped me form and shape my own ideas around art. I'm now looking forward to studying Fine Art at Chelsea College of Arts.
