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University of Kent / ARTS STUDIO
share resources – the Engineering
workshop is great for metalwork and we
send our students there if they need to
do any soldering. One of the
advantages of being on such a big
campus is that everyone benefits from
the huge range of resources.
2pm Typically, our students come to
us with great IT skills, but not many of
them have any experience with an
electric drill, sewing machine, paint
brush or saws. This afternoon, three of
the first-year students who were at this
morning’s session have come back for a
mini-tutorial on power tools. Mastering
these practical skills is a real confidence
builder. One of the best parts of my job
is helping students to get to grips with
things that they never thought they
could do – or were afraid to try.
2.15pm We are about to start a
production meeting so we put the kettle
on. Debs Metcalf-Askew (production
manager), Ian Baird (lighting) and Scott
Miller (sound) all have extensive
professional theatre experience, having
worked at music festivals and in places
including the Royal Opera House and
the New York Theatre Workshop. Their
job is to help the students to ensure
their productions meet professional
standards. A group of fourth-year
MDrama students have come in to talk
to us about their production of Samuel
Beckett’s Play. They take us through
their plans for the budget, logistics, the
audiovisual requirements, sound, and
provide a realistic timetable. Putting on
a performance is a complex piece of
project management and we advise
them but also make sure the students
take a hands-on approach. When the
meeting is finished, a couple of
students stay behind and I help them to
get supplies of wood and polystyrene
for their build.
3pm The Workshop is open to School
of Arts students from all disciplines and
students often come in to spend time on
independent projects. As well as
encouraging those who never thought
they could ‘make’ anything, we love
helping the real enthusiasts who want a
challenge. Unless they need to use one
of our really specialist pieces of
equipment (such as the table saw), we
let them find their own way and provide
help and advice as we go. This is why
the workshop is often inhabited by the
results of their labours; you might see a
marble fireplace (actually 100% wood
and polystyrene) or sides of beef
(made from foam) lying around the
place. Problem-solving is a major part
of the process and I encourage
students to combine research and
practice, in order to understand what
materials they will need for their project.
Some of the students get very
ambitious and want to tackle some of
the more complex paint effects and
body-casting techniques that we
professionals specialise in.
4.30pm Time to tidy up and move
the music upbeat to reflect the start of
the weekend. We close at 5pm, so there
is just time to check up on some maskmaking.
Everyone enjoys making masks
and it is a great way to introduce
students to measuring, sculpting and
drawing. This group has been working
on historical Commedia dell’ arte masks
and they look wonderful.
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