Sixth Form students and young artists Savannah and Temi joined us for a week of work experience at the Art School. Find out more about what they learned, saw and experienced below, and take a look at the photos they captured throughout the week!
Savannah’s Work Experience
I have been doing one week of work experience at City and Guilds of London Art School, and I have loved it. Being so interested in the art world, and desperate to learn about the roles within it, this work placement has been the very best for me. I’ve been lucky enough to explore the various different departments and spaces that make up the school. For example, I was able to work with a woodcarving technician named Ana on the first day, as well as various other printmakers, and see their work in action. There has also been the chance for me to work behind reception and learn about the behind the scenes.
However, one of the most interesting tasks I was given was the role of helping sort through the archives of the Art School’s past degree shows. In the library, along with the Art School Librarian Harriet and my work experience partner Temi, we boxed up postcards and photos from when the school first opened. The Art School has a tradition of keeping business cards and postcards used by the art students during their exhibitions, in order to keep a list of every artist that attended the school. These postcards dated back until the year 2000!
As well as having the opportunity to explore the degree show, showcasing graduating BA students’ artwork, I was also able to meet two artists whose work was being exhibited. One of the artists had actually made a piece created from sugar arranged on a long table between two rooms (pictured below). It was inspiring to see how all these artists actually work when we took a tour through some of their working studios!
The Degree Show was made from a curation of Stone Carving, Woodcarving, Fine Art and Conservation. The collection was truly inspiring. Alongside this, the Degree Show was really important for exposing us to other art methods that I for one had never even really heard about. For example, Japanning, which is a ‘type of finish that originated as a European imitation of East Asian lacquerwork during the 17th century’. I had never seen or heard of this technique before until the show and that is why I think the show was so successful; because it showcased art that you don’t see in the everyday or that can sometimes go unnoticed.
All in all, the work experience here has been incredible. I’ve learned about the different jobs that many people take on here that might not be specifically creating art, but without them, the school would not be able to run. For instance, without Hannah and Bridget, who look after Development, there would be nobody to manage the grants for the school, which is a charity. Without Sarm at the reception, everybody would seem to be very lost, as I first was when I came! As well as Harriet in the library who provides a very calm oasis for students to work and learn alongside their course. Of course, there are so many more people who work here and who have shown me the intricate workings of this community and who, at the end of the day, are the reason for the success of the school.
Temi’s Work Experience
With my experience at City and Guilds of London Art School being my first ever work experience, it has been extremely helpful in opening my eyes to more than just the creative side of art. I am now familiar with the monetary side of art and even the management side of art. I have managed to construct a relationship with both MA and BA students at the Art School, talking with them about different styles of art and their impact on humans and the environment.
First, I visited the wood workshop, where I met Ana, the Woodwork Tutor. She described her role as someone who helps the students review and perfect their ideas, whilst still making them their own. Anna was once a student at the Art School and she really enjoyed it, as she was able to explore her love for art. From her, I have learnt that you can always find a job where you get to do what you love and enjoy. Then I met Bridget, who was all about the Development and Marketing side of the Art School and how they support the development of the Art School as a charity. One thing I really like about City and Guilds of London Art School is that it is very supportive of individualism in art whilst creating a haven for students to secure art materials and help from professionals. The Degree Show presents the amazing works of their students in a gallery-like display and gives the opportunity for students to sell their works, preparing them for the professional life of an artist.
Enjoyably, I experienced the role of an art librarian, being supervised by Harriet. She talked about her responsibilities such as maintaining the wellbeing of books in the library and making sure they are properly arranged. Some are placed in alphabetical order, like the books that are about artists, and some books are kept out of reach due to their delicate nature, such as the almost-weightless Japanese book (pictured above). Harriet gave me the role of organizing files and information from past Degree Shows, so they could be easily accessed. Working with Harriet has helped me understand that, by working in an art organisation, one could still find a contented job in the industry without directly being involved with art.
I met a 2nd Year BA Fine Art student, Orla, an amazing artist. She took me on a tour all around the Art School, showing all of the stunning works of the other students. We shared our opinions about the uniqueness of each work and it’s effects on us. As an artist, it was really uplifting to talk about art with another artist. We talked about the difference between MA and BA degrees and the importance of a Foundation Course. I got to meet some of the students whose works I’d seen, like Seraphina Mutscehller and Em Smith. They were very communicative, which is a skill I think is crucial to have as an artist, in order to talk about your work and secure opportunities for your artistic future. Perhaps they have acquired this skill as a result of the artistic independence the Art School allows them. Orla then took us to the Print Room, where we met a couple of professional printmakers, and they talked about how the printmaking machines are used and what type of effects they create based on how they are used. Learning about the printmaking techniques helped me understand the concepts and processes of certain artworks I had seen earlier.
Briefly, I was also given the privilege to work at the front desk during the 2023 Degree Show, welcoming guests into the Art School to view the works of the art students, directing them to the different parts of the building and handing out maps. I was also able to work with current students during this process. The Degree Show really showed me that I might want to be involved in this organisation for a long time.
Doing work experience at City and Guilds of London Art School has helped me develop skills that are important in the professional world, such as communication skills, teamwork, punctuality, listening skills and people skills.
Thank you for joining us, Savannah and Temi!