Bringing the A into Bubble...
By Gemma Lawrence
Monday 19th October 2009
Monday 19th October 2009
Art and St Andrews are not necessarily two words you would associate with one another. However, having been studying here for over a year I have come to realise the wealth of possibilities available in such a place. The word art can be interpreted in the broader sense of an expression of creativity and ingenuity. Being able to express oneself, away from the academic side of university life is highly important in maintaining a fresh and open view of the world, especially when your world consists of three streets. As well as teaching you to perceive everyday life in new ways, creative activity can allow you time to reflect on thoughts and ideas in a pressure-free environment.
The number of possibilities open to us as students is at times overwhelming. For those interested in public performance, societies such as Mermaids, a cappella and Star as well as orchestra and dance society are all fairly obvious options. In terms of visual art, The Art Society now organise weekly landscape and life drawing sessions which are open to artists of all standards. The society also intends to arrange two exhibitions this year to offer students a chance to display their artwork whilst bringing together likeminded people and enhancing the creative atmosphere of the community.
Imaginative thinking is another means by which to explore artistic possibilities. Photography, music and cooking are all mediums of expression which require no external organisation and can provide time for contemplation, moments of discovery or sometimes much needed solitude. Being open to the learning of new skills such as how to use the union’s dark room or the sharing musical ideas can greatly enhance your enjoyment of student life. Taking time out of St Andrews to unearth the artistic happenings around the area is a good way of avoiding the sometimes claustrophobic feel of the town. Dundee, a thirty minute bus ride from St Andrews, not only has one of the top art colleges in the UK to visit but also the Dundee Contemporary Art Gallery which hosts numerous exhibitions throughout the year as well as interactive art displays. Being artistic in St Andrews is not as difficult as you may initially have thought- all it requires is a touch of ingenuity and creative thinking.
The number of possibilities open to us as students is at times overwhelming. For those interested in public performance, societies such as Mermaids, a cappella and Star as well as orchestra and dance society are all fairly obvious options. In terms of visual art, The Art Society now organise weekly landscape and life drawing sessions which are open to artists of all standards. The society also intends to arrange two exhibitions this year to offer students a chance to display their artwork whilst bringing together likeminded people and enhancing the creative atmosphere of the community.
Imaginative thinking is another means by which to explore artistic possibilities. Photography, music and cooking are all mediums of expression which require no external organisation and can provide time for contemplation, moments of discovery or sometimes much needed solitude. Being open to the learning of new skills such as how to use the union’s dark room or the sharing musical ideas can greatly enhance your enjoyment of student life. Taking time out of St Andrews to unearth the artistic happenings around the area is a good way of avoiding the sometimes claustrophobic feel of the town. Dundee, a thirty minute bus ride from St Andrews, not only has one of the top art colleges in the UK to visit but also the Dundee Contemporary Art Gallery which hosts numerous exhibitions throughout the year as well as interactive art displays. Being artistic in St Andrews is not as difficult as you may initially have thought- all it requires is a touch of ingenuity and creative thinking.