Each year we choose a general theme, from which the ideas and inspiration for the courses are drawn. This enables us to refresh our teaching constantly, providing different perspectives each year on the subjects and concepts studied.

It provides a common ground between all the full and part-time courses, generating a unity of thought and purpose throughout the work done in the School.

Solar/Lunar is our theme for 2009/2010. As well as the immediate links to night and day, light and dark, the weather, the tides and the seasons, Solar/Lunar can also be interpreted as representing the diametric opposites found in life and often explored through the arts. Artists throughout history have shown an interest in the qualities of the sun and moon, whether through an intrinsic understanding of the nature of light and its effect on painting, or through more theoretical investigations into the mythology and symbolism behind these celestial orbs.

 The ideas behind Solar/Lunar are both universal and specific – they link with many aspects of our everyday lives, as well as themes surrounding philosophy and mythology. We hope you will be able to find something in our theme this year which will inspire you to make work with us.