"O Lord thou art our Father: We are the clay and thou the potter:

We all are the work of thy hand."
Isaiah 64:8

Overview

The Art course at Holy Family College is designed to help students think critically about the visual arts and the aesthetic world around them. Most projects focus on the meaning of images and objects and their historical development as well as developing specific skills so that students can become confident artists. Research tasks are an integral part of the Art experience and it is really important that students develop a mature level of understanding about the importance of Art throughout history and in the future. Students are encouraged to expand their experience outside the department and there are visits to galleries, Artist in Residence experiences as well as trips to different places of interest.

Curriculum Intent

To nurture and develop students God given talents and facilitate as many opportunities as possible for young people to find their creative self. As Thomas Merton said ‘Art enables us to lose ourselves and find ourselves at the same time.’ 

The Art Curriculum is designed to do just this, empower young people with the skills, knowledge and understanding they need to fulfil their potential in every sense. 

To give each student new challenges and exciting experiences. 

To Offer a wide variety of approaches to learning and acquiring new skills. 

To provide young people with opportunities to become creative thinkers and Artists of the future.

Staff

Resources/Facilities

The department has a large specialized teaching room. The room is equipped with a PC, projector and interactive white-board and a visualiser to help demonstrate live skills to the whole class. Students have access to 30 laptops to support their studies. There are also many specialist pieces of equipment in the department such as batikwax pots, printmaking equipment, an array of textile equipment, Facilities to develop stencilling and spray painting and a vast library of Art specific books. All of which greatly enhance the learning experience for the students. 

Extended Learning and Enrichment Activities

The Art department encourages learning outside of the classroom in several ways. A major event is always our annual trip to the Whitworth Art Gallery- Manchester Art Gallery where students are able to work with an artist in residence as well as absorb the atmosphere of the gallery and surrounding university vibe. 

The Art department has also developed a youtube channel to help support students learning and development of skills both inside and outside of the classroom. 

Other activities include:

• Touchstone Art Gallery Trip
• Manchester Art Gallery Trip and Tour of John Ryland's Library
  with a photography session built in around the Northern Quarter. 
• Artists working in school/ classroom
  These have included Kelzo, Vincent James, Gill Randal, Sarah Albon and Ex students too.