Portfolio Course (Art, Craft & Design)

Before coming to Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa, I thought that a PLC course in Art, Craft and Design was simply another route into third level education; now I believe that it is an absolutely fantastic opportunity for anyone who has the chance to take it, and an essential part of my overall education.

I highly recommend that anyone who either has a vague inclination towards art, or who is completely committed to completing a degree and/or making a career in the area take the course. During the year you will be able to discover if art is really for you, which area you would like to move towards, and have the chance to gain skills that will help to get you further beyond the course.

I also recommend Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa as each of the tutors has a great level of experience, passion and patience within their own areas, giving students the motivation and space they need to progress. I have found that anyone willing to make the most out of what the tutors have to offer has progressed incredibly well, and achieved things they didn't know were possible by their own standards. This has been one of the most worthwhile years I have ever had, and I therefore urge anyone with the slightest interest in the arts to consider it.

Shane Sims

The course offered a broad programme of modules including subjects in which I would have had no previous experience, such as Ceramics, My interest in the arts is rooted in my childhood and led me to pursue a career as a professional Visual Artist and Lecturer. Having not studied Art as a secondary school subject, I applied to Colaiste Stiofain Naofa in order to produce a high-quality portfolio. The college’s excellent reputation was quickly proven.

Combined Materials, Sculpture and Graphic Design. This allowed me to explore new artistic techniques and processes within a professional and innovative studio environment.

An essential emphasis is placed upon traditional practices and the honing of one’s practical skills; with the activities of life and object drawing serving as a cornerstone of the course. This highlighting of the importance of mark-making and draughtsmanship was monumental in my own development as an Artist; as well as the dynamic interconnection between the traditional craftsmanship and digital media.

The most important aspect of my studies at CSN was the one-on-one interaction with my tutors whose invaluable daily critique and advice encouraged me to identify my strengths and weaknesses; and helped me to establish an informed and confident approach to Art from practical, historical, community and business perspectives.   
I applied to Crawford College of Art & Design and Limerick School of Art and Design. Receiving offers for both colleges, I chose to study in LSAD and graduated in 2011 with my B.A (Hons) in Fine Art Painting.

Recently, I graduated from University College Cork with an M.A. in Modern & Contemporary Art History, Theory and Criticism. After the completion of my studies, I can offer testimony to this fantastic course of Art, Craft and Design.  In 2007, it instilled in me an excitement and confidence to study art and to become a Visual Artist; and now in 2012, I still credit my accomplishments to my year studying at CSN.

Sharon Hayes

Art, Craft and Design offers an easy transition from a classroom environment to that of an open studio and gives a great sense of what it’s like to be a practicing artist. Art, Craft and Design is the perfect chance to figure out how you will make art consistently. This course offers a long list of subjects to try, media to use and work to reference. With feedback from teachers by the end of year I had narrowed my subject choices to those I enjoyed and had a bank of inspiration to reference and assist in my work. I’m sure after finishing in CSN you will, like I, have a clearer understanding of the work that engages you and how to produce your best art. Next year I will be studying Animation in IADT and I owe that to the work I was able to produce in Art, Craft and Design I personally had a great time in the course and I know my time in IADT will be all the better for my time in CSN.

Rory Martin