This Creative Ceramics course is designed for those with a strong interest in design and learning about ceramics and craft skills. This hands-on course provides practical demonstrations from artist teachers, as well as guest artists. Students have the opportunity to design and create a wide range of unique ceramic, sculptural, and printed pieces, as well as upcycling and using sustainable materials.

The overall aim of the programme is to enable the learner to acquire the knowledge, skill and competence to engage in a range of art, craft and design practices and to progress to further and or higher education and training.

This is a one-year course with a requirement to achieve 120 credits. It particularly suits participants that are eager to develop their artistic skills in a wide range of different modules.

If you aspire to a career in the Art and Design field, our course will support you to produce an exciting, competitive and creative art portfolio to help you progress to Art college. Our students have a great track record for progressing to Higher Education at all the major Art colleges and Universities.

You will explore core practical skills including drawing, painting, sculpture and mixed media which are essential skills to prepare you for art colleges. You will use your creative thinking, ideas, style and visual communication throughout the creation of your portfolio.

Our practical projects and exhibitions include opportunities to work with professional artists, and to experience the professional world of art and design.

This course is fundamentally designed to provide students with a portfolio of the highest quality that will attain entry to Art and Design courses at third level both nationally and internationally. The course gives you the opportunity to consider if a future in Art and Design is for you and to choose the college and course that suits you best. It enables students to develop their artistic and observational skills and to explore creativity and personal expression. This course enables direct entry into year 2 in some colleges.

If you can say YES to any one of the following then this may well be the course for you:

• Have you always had an interest in art and would like to learn more?
• Do you enjoy making and designing?
• Do you like to draw and paint?
• Do you want to prepare a portfolio for application to Art & Design Colleges?
• Are you creative & want to try different subjects to find out what you enjoy most?
• Would you like to get hands on experience exploring different materials and crafts like jewellery, woodcraft, weaving and ceramics?
• Like to start a career as an Artist, Craftsperson or Designer?

Should you have the interest and enthusiasm, we have the teachers, coursework and facilities to nurture and grow your talent. We will guide you on your way to a creative career.

Location: Athlone

The overall aim of the programme is to provide the learner with the opportunity to develop the required knowledge, skills and competence in art, craft and design in order to meet the standards set by the awarding body in the award specification for Art, Craft and Design level 5.

Please refer to Programme Descriptor for Programme Objectives. Employment opportunities in this area range from setting up their own small art and craft business to working in areas such as community art, festival events, interior decorating and so on.

Students will have the opportunity to:

• Develop creative thinking and design skills, learning how to plan, research, and bring ideas to life through hands-on projects.
• Improve drawing abilities, using different materials and methods to express ideas and develop a personal artistic style.
• Explore painting techniques, learning how to use colour, texture, and composition to create original artwork.
• Work with clay, gaining hands-on experience in shaping, glazing, and firing to produce finished ceramic pieces.
• Create original prints, using a range of traditional and modern printmaking techniques.
• Use digital photography creatively, learning how to take, edit, and present photographs using digital tools and software.

The aim of this one year full time course course is to provide the learner with the opportunity to develop skills in a variety of traditional and modern art and craft disciplines including drawing, painting and ceramics as well as working with a variety of materials.

This one-year, QQI Level 5 course equips the learner with the vocational skills and knowledge for preparing a portfolio for higher education art. By covering a broad mix of disciplines, you will have the opportunity to find your own strengths. On completion of the course, your portfolio will reflect a wide range of skills and experience.

An emphasis is given to design skills, with Graphics, Illustration and Animation, among the modules covered.

This course can lead to Advanced Art (Level 6) and can also lead to further studies at third level colleges in Ireland and abroad.

This one-year, QQI Level 5 full time course equips the learner with the vocational skills and knowledge to creative thinking and personal expression. This course provides you with the opportunity to channel your creativity through various artistic mediums, such as design, ceramics, digital photography, painting, drawing, batik, and stop-motion animation. Students will benefit from full access to the Adobe Suite, enhancing their digital skills.

Throughout the course, you will have the chance to cultivate a portfolio tailored to your unique interests and talents. Upon completing the program, you’ll have the chance to showcase your artwork to the public, and your high-quality portfolio will be invaluable for both advancing to higher education and pursuing employment opportunities.