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Lifelong Learning at Bangor University

Betws Garmon Artist develops his potential

dawnthompsonArtist David Byrne from Betws Garmon, graduated with a BA (hons) in Fine Art from Bangor University’s School of Lifelong Learning today (11 July).

After leaving college in the early 70s, David took up a teaching career in Hampshire and later moved to the North-East of England. He Lived in Sedgefield, Co. Durham, for 30 years and taught Art at a comprehensive school on Teesside. David moved to north Wales in 2004 after leaving work due to health.

“Although I taught art for many years I never fully developed my own artistic potential. Moving to North Wales and enrolling on the  Fine Art degree at Lifelong Learning helped me to develop and extend my skills as a painter; allowed me to explore video and other methods of visual art and gave me the opportunity to learn from the skills of practising artists who teach on the course.” Said David

He continued “Sharing ideas with tutors and fellow students has expanded my knowledge and helped me to take risks and pursue fresh ideas and use of different media. Since starting the course I have produced a vast portfolio of work at a high standard which has led to me gaining a first class honours degree. The real advantage of the course is that I have developed the skills necessary to critically appraise my own work and have confidence in my own ability to develop ideas and pursue them to conclusion. The opportunity to work with tutors who are also working artists has given me a fantastic insight into working artistic practices and encouraged me to develop business ideas.”

David’s next step is to bring his work to a wider public and hopefully sell his paintings. He is also considering enrolling on an MA in Fine Art which will hopefully be offered at Lifelong Learning in 2012.

Lifelong Learning’s part-time degrees are flexible so that students can opt to study at a pace that suits their personal circumstances. Most students take 4½ - 5 years to complete their degree. These part-time degrees are structured to help people returning to education and many have gone on to follow prosperous careers or further study.

If you would like to develop interests in certain subject areas, looking for new skills or are thinking of a career change, contact Lifelong Learning for information about part-time degree programmes and financial help available on 01248 382475 or visit the website www.bangor.ac.uk/ll.