Art & Design, Fashion & Creative Crafts

Are you a highly creative person with a real passion for the creative arts? If so, one of our art & design, fashion or creative craft courses could be perfect for you!

Let your imagination run free and see your ideas brought to life by choosing one of our innovative, expressive, creative courses.

Students studying art & design, fashion & creative crafts at our Warrington campus will study in our brand new Advanced Creative & Digital Skills Academy, equipped with the latest industry-standard equipment and software, working alongside some of the industry's top employers.

Students aged 16-18 Adults Higher Education

Trips and visits

While studying at Warrington & Vale Royal College, students have embarked on trips to renowned destinations such as Berlin, New York, and Barcelona, where they had the privilege of experiencing the artwork of globally acclaimed artists. Students have visited the Tate Gallery, Manchester City Art Gallery, Liverpool Walker, Manchester’s Whitworth Gallery, and The Natural History Museum to inspire their own work.

Students will benefit from being on the doorstep of two of the UK’s top cultural and fashion cities of Manchester & Liverpool. With many of the UK’s top brands setting up their head offices in Manchester, such as Boohoo and Missguided, students can look forward to immersing themselves in this diverse and creative industry through visits to fashion houses, boutiques, exhibitions and higher education institutes.

Industry links

The North West is a thriving creative hub, offering a multitude of career opportunities following the completion of your course. The college has excellent links with industry, as well as our own artist-in-residence, to enhance your learning and college experience. You will complete an industry placement to broaden your skills and experience, and have the opportunity to work in galleries and creative spaces such as Warrington Museum & Art Gallery and Pyramid Arts Centre. Last year, Warrington & Vale Royal College was the first-ever college to collaborate with Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival, giving students the exclusive opportunity to hold a two-week long exhibition open to the public in Warrington town centre.

Throughout your course, you will also participate in guest lecture workshops and live briefs through our strong partnerships with Culture Warrington, Castlefield Arts Centre, The Royal Standard and The Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester. Past students have also worked on a number of projects for the NHS including the curation of artwork for a wellbeing hub and an array of eclectic murals.

In addition to the industry-relevant skills developed throughout your industry placements, you will also develop vital employability skills including communication, customer service, enthusiasm, motivation, problem-solving and attention to detail. This ensures that you are fully prepared to succeed in the workplace when you leave us.

I am

16-18 Years Old

As a school leaver studying one of our fantastic art and design courses, you will be introduced to a broad range of disciplines, allowing you to experiment with your new skills and interpret briefs with creative freedom. As you progress, you will have the opportunity to specialise within your preferred discipline, help you to refine your skills and build an impressive portfolio. Starting from BTEC Level 1 to Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art & Design and through to your higher education studies with our HNC Art & Design: Visual Arts qualification, we have the course for all budding artists.

Level 1 Art & Design

Full Time

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Level 2 Art & Design

Full Time

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Level 3 Art & Design

Full Time

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Level 3 Fashion Innovation

Full Time

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Level 3 Foundation Diploma Art & Design

Full Time

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HND Art & Design : Visual Arts

Full Time

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I am an

Adult Learner

At Warrington & Vale Royal College, we have a wonderful range of part-time adult art and craft courses, including acrylic painting, ceramics, floristry, jewellery, and drawing and sketching. Students can take courses just for fun with one of our hobbycraft or short art courses or select accredited courses with a view to pursuing an exciting new career.

Advanced Copper & Aluminium Jewellery Making

Part Time

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Advanced Kiln Formed Glass

Part Time

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Ceramics Masterclasses

Part Time

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Christmas Wreath Making

Part Time

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Floristry - Christmas

Part Time

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Floristry - Spring Flowers

Part Time

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Floristry - Summer Flowers

Part Time

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HND Art & Design : Visual Arts

Full Time

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Introduction to Acrylic Painting

Part Time

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Introduction to Art & Design

Part Time

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Introduction to Ceramics

Part Time

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Introduction to Copper & Aluminium Jewellery Making

Part Time

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Introduction to Drawing & Sketching

Part Time

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Introduction to Flower Shop Floristry

Part Time

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Introduction to Life Drawing

Part Time

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Introduction to Mixed Media

Part Time

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Introduction to Pastels

Part Time

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Introduction to Sew Vintage (Handmade)

Part Time

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Introduction to Stained Glass

Part Time

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Introduction to Thrifty Crafts Made Fabulous

Part Time

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Introduction to Up Cycling Fashion from Old to New

Part Time

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Introduction to Watercolours

Part Time

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Introduction to Wedding Floristry

Part Time

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Level 1 Award Creative Craft - Art & Design

Part Time

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Level 1 Award Creative Craft - Ceramics

Part Time

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Level 2 Certificate Creative Craft - Art & Design

Part Time

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Level 2 Certificate Creative Craft - Ceramics

Part Time

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Next Steps Drawing and Sketching

Part Time

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Next Steps in Acrylic Painting

Part Time

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Next Steps in Copper & Aluminium Jewellery Making

Part Time

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Next Steps in Kiln Formed Glass

Part Time

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Next Steps in Life Drawing

Part Time

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Next Steps in Mixed Media

Part Time

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Next Steps in Pastels

Part Time

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Next Steps in Watercolours

Part Time

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Next Steps to Flower Shop Floristry

Part Time

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Next Steps to Sew Vintage (Handmade Crafts)

Part Time

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Next Steps to Thrifty Crafts Made Fabulous

Part Time

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Next Steps to Up Cycling Fashion from Old to New

Part Time

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I am a

Higher Education Learner

Our HNC and HND courses will develop your skills across a range of disciplines including ceramics, glass, jewellery, life drawing and printing. These courses are suitable for students who have already achieved an art qualification and are aiming to take their skills to the next level and progress onto university or secure employment within this diverse sector.

HND Art & Design : Visual Arts

Full Time

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Meet our students

“My course has given me the freedom to do what I want to do within art, as well as letting me explore techniques, materials, and equipment that I wouldn’t have access to at other colleges. For anyone who wants a creative career, I’d definitely recommend this course!”

Madie Baldacchino, a former pupil at Helsby High School, is one of the college’s talented Level 3 Art & Design students who is already making an impression in the local art sector.

Although she is only in her first year, Madie has already been involved in projects with some high-profile cultural organisations, such as the Liverpool Tate and Culture Warrington.

Madie Baldacchino

Level 3 Art & Design

Aleksandra has always had a real passion for Art & Design, saying: “As long as I am doing art, I am happy.” She says that being creative is very important to her, and that this course was the perfect course that has allowed her creative freedom.

“The live project briefs are my favourite thing about studying here at the college, we get to experience for ourselves what it takes to feature and run an exhibition.” Aleksandra says that the most critical aspect she has learnt on the course is confidence - she now believes in her abilities and it has improved her artistic license.

In the future, Aleksandra hopes to work as a tutor and has recently joined a course to become a teaching assistant.

Aleksandra Jakimow

HNC Art & Design: Visual Arts

"You learn a lot about yourself on this course, and the tutors are always there for you. When you do art, it can take you many different ways - it does not have to be just drawing or painting.”

Level 3 Art & Design student Gvena Naburga is one of Warrington & Vale Royal college’s exceptional artists, joining the college in 2018 to follow her passion for photography. After all of her hard work, Gvena has now gained employment working with Culture Warrington as Assistant Venue Manager.

GVENA NABURGA

Level 3 Art & Design

“I love the class that I am in, everyone is so supportive and honest of each other’s work. Our tutor Sarah is great, she is very dedicated to what she does. Being a former student herself she puts loads of effort into giving the best standard of education.”

Vicki Cottrell enrolled on to our Level 2 Creative Craft – Art & Design programme before progressing on to our HNC Visual Arts course, which she is thriving on now.

Vicki has enjoyed working on the live briefs that they have been given as it is motivating. It gives the students an opportunity to design and pitch ideas to clients, which is great experience for the future. After completing the course Vicki wants to carry on pursuing her passion in art.

Vicki Cottrell

HNC Art & Design: Visual Arts

Meet our tutors

Kelly Broughton

Art & design tutor Kelly Broughton started her creative career at Manchester Metropolitan University, studying a degree in embroidery before moving on to achieve a master’s in Fine Art from the University of Chester and has since been an art tutor for 14 years.

Kelly has displayed her artwork nationally and internationally in various exhibitions and galleries and enjoys sharing her vast knowledge of techniques and mediums with her students. She says: “I love seeing my students experiment with styles and techniques, stepping out of their comfort zone to discover their unique artistic voice."

Rebecca Bennett

Rebecca Bennett is the college’s expert fashion innovation tutor, who has had a stellar career and travelled the world working as a fabric technologist before becoming a fashion tutor. Rebecca has worked with major sports brands, including Adidas, and has used her expertise to develop football kits for the Premier League, Bundesliga and La Lega. Rebecca says:

“It’s great working for a forward-thinking college that embraces change and I love being able to teach a course that promotes innovation and really focuses on the future of fashion.”

Mia Cathcart

Art & Design Tutor Mia Cathcart has a wealth of experience in the industry, having worked for multiple arts organisations and galleries. Alongside teaching, Mia works as a freelance artist and has exhibited across the globe in London, Toronto and Budapest to name but a few.

Mia’s favourite thing about teaching at the college is the sense of community, she says: “We really value individuality. Students are encouraged to explore their own language and concepts within art and the college is always open to new ideas.”

Explore our facilities

Advanced Creative & Digital Skills (ACDS) Academy

Art & Design, Fashion & Creative Crafts students get to study in our brand-new Advanced Creative & Digital Skills (ACDS) Academy which is equipped with state-of-the-art, purpose-built art studios, allowing you to develop your skills within your chosen media. You will have a designated workspace including access to an Apple Mac with the Adobe Creative Suite installed.

The department also houses a screen printing room and fashion equipment such as sewing machines and a heat transfer press. In terms of ceramics, we have a range of clays, throwing wheels, sandblasting machine and glaze room.