A group of former art students are keeping the skills they learned alive through exhibitions and workshops at the town’s Old Quarry Studios in Queen’s Road

A collection of old industrial buildings was converted for artists’ use in the late 1990s and now there is a thriving group of painters, potters, sculptors, photographers and printmakers - almost all of whom trained at the College - making work there.

The artists have just held a group exhibition at the Rowan Tree tea rooms, next to the studios, and have regular open days on the first Saturday of each month.

Next week a group of current  BA students will be exhibiting at the gallery, and there are plans to run courses for students in the use of a wood-fired kiln, which has been built by studio member Simon Taylor.

Simon is also a Ceramic Lecturer and Course Leader for the mature UAL Arts Foundation programme, and works alongside his dad, ceramicist Sinclair Taylor. Simon has taught several of the studio members and is hoping to inspire the latest generation of student artists with his ‘Anagama’ kiln, which he thinks might be one of the smallest of its kind in the world.

He said: “ I built this kiln not just for personal use as a practicing ceramicist but also for my students at the College.

“Weston Quarry Studios houses many artists and designers who have progressed from the College’s Foundation and Degree Courses and are now working as practicing artists with some flourishing professional businesses. I am particularly proud that I have taught many of these artists who have continue to demonstrate high motivation and commitment to the arts initiated from their original training at the College.”

Vicki Campbell is one of the artists at the studios and is a former College student and lecturer. She said: “My time at the College was very encouraging and stimulating and the staff were great. That experience has led to me joining this studio and pursuing my creativity in a lovely environment.”

Joan Hall is in her 80s, but still loves to paint JMW Turner-inspired seascapes. She said: “the College was a great experience for me and it taught me to explore different techniques that I still use in my painting.”

Changes to Advanced Learner Loans mean adult and part-time education at Weston College is more accessible and affordable than ever.

For people who want to get new qualifications or retrain, but are worried about the cost, the Advanced Learner Loan is the answer.

These loans have previously only been available for people aged 24 or over but from the 2016-17 academic year they will be available to learners aged 19 or over.

Ceri Forsdike took out a loan to pay for a Level 3 Hairdressing course at Weston College, and now runs her own mobile hairdressing business.

She said: “I would not have been able to progress onto my Level 3 course without having an Advanced Learner Loan – it allowed me to complete my learning to the best possible level.

“This has given me the confidence to set up my own business, which I wouldn’t have been able to do without my qualifications.”

The loan covers tuition and exam fees and does not have to be paid back until a person is earning more than £21,000 per year. Even then repayments are automatically deducted from a person’s salary at a rate of 9%, so if someone earns £22,000 their monthly repayment is just £7.50.

If you take out an Advanced Learner Loan for an Access to Higher Education course and then go on to complete a Higher Education course the loan is written off completely and you will never have to pay a penny back.

The provision has also been expanded to not only cover Level 3 and 4 courses, but also some Level 5 and 6 courses.

James Moodhoo was a self-employed builder who wanted to retrain to become a fully-qualified electrician.

He said: “Funding was my biggest issue when I was considering furthering my studies.

“I was a new father, and we didn’t have a lot of money. Self-funding the course just wasn’t an option.

“Weston College provided fantastic advice and the Advanced Learner Loan has really opened doors for me.”

A new short film has been produced about the Advanced Learner Loan scheme; it can be viewed via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PJQTvnhZes

There is also a dedicated section, with some helpful FAQs, here: www.weston.ac.uk/supporting-you/financial-support/advanced-learner-loans

At Weston College we get a lot of questions from members of the public who want to improve their hair and beauty knowledge. In the first of a two-part hair and beauty advice special we ask Jessica Stagg, former Weston College student and owner of Essential Beauty and Aesthetics, for answers to some of the most frequently beauty questions…

Click here for part two!

How can I tell when makeup expires?

Many people don’t know this essential beauty tip, and the answer is more simple than a lot of people think!

Almost every product you use has an expiry date, and using the product when it has gone off can damage your skin or affect results. Look for a symbol on the back of the makeup which looks like an open jar. In it, there should be a number which indicates how long the product will last after it has been opened.

How do I remove gel nail polish?

Removing gel nails is easy, all you need is acetone, cotton balls, a high-grit buffer, a nail file, and aluminium foil cut into squares big enough to wrap around your fingertips.

First, use the file to break the seal of the gel polish, making sure that you don’t file too deep as this could damage your nail. Cut the foil into 10 three-centimetre wide squares.

Next, soak a cotton ball in acetone and place it on your fingernail and wrap the foil around your fingertip to hold the cotton ball in place. Wait 15 minutes and the gel nail should flake off easily. Use a buffer on your nails to remove any residue.

You could become an expert in gel nails as little as three months with one of Weston College's nail technology part-time courses. Click here to find out more!

How should I clean makeup brushes?

To properly clean your makeup brushes you’ll need a shallow bowl, gentle shampoo, a sink and a lint-free cloth. Begin by running your brushes under lukewarm tap water to remove any remaining makeup. Focus on cleansing the bristles but try to avoid the handle as the heat of the water may loosen the glue over time.

Fill the bowl with lukewarm water and put a small amount of shampoo in it. Swirl the tip of your brush in the water and then swirl the brush in the palm of your hand to work up a lather. Rinse the brush under running water when you’re satisfied that the brush is clean, and then leave to dry!

How can I earn money with my beauty skills?

If you’re talented in makeup, nail art or massage you could earn money in the beauty industry as a beauty technician. Getting qualified and learning new skills is important, and I started my career by taking a beauty therapy qualification at Weston College. I then worked in salons for five years, and opened my first salon Essential Beauty and Aesthetics in Weston-super-Mare in 2016.

Weston College has courses for all ages and abilities, including part-time courses designed to fit around your schedule.

There are nearly 20,000 people employed in the beauty industry in the Bristol and Somerset area. The average starting salary in this sector is £15,000, however more qualified and specialist beauty therapists can earn over £20,000 per year.

Find out what courses we have on offer by clicking here!