INTRODUCTION

This publication is a celebration of the achievements of students who have taken the Online Foundation: Pathway to Paris Program. Their words and images are a reflection on what was learned, discoveries made and new approaches to a creative practice. Each student has found their distinct way of working, future field of study and they articulatewhy they are passionate about what they do. The community created over the course of two semesters is close-knit and supportive despite our physical distance from each other. Our different locations around the world, cultures and daily experience form the rich mix that we bring to the Zoom room – the students literally spark off each other.

The program is now in its third year after being imagined, designed and created in the summer of 2020. What was discovered during the pandemic was that the home space – with all its apparent constraints –could be a productive place for creative work. We work with resourcefulness and appreciation for what we have to hand. The students are endlessly playful and imaginative working across: printmaking, sculpture, textiles, digital media, installation, photography, drawing and painting – each week producing new and exciting directions for their work.

This cohort has been special in many ways: their generosity and delight in the successes and break-throughs of their peers, their seriousness and dedication to learning about art and design, and their commitment to this program. It is remarkable what has been achieved.

Chloe Briggs / Head of Online Foundation

Students have taken part in the Online different reasons. Some transition into others in the second semester, and online. This is a picture of where we connect to Paris from.