a word from the painting staff

There is definitely a sense of closure with this year’s show. Although this is the second degree show to take place in the new Belfast School of Art, and future chapters to come, what comes to an end with the graduating class of 2017 is a final nod to our old studios. If they look closely, the students will recognise the arching roof of their studio spaces when they joined us in their first year on the mezzanine of the Orpheus (with some on the floor below in the Ballroom).

So we can say they hold a special place in the history of the art college, as they can say with certainty they were the last graduating class to have begun their studies in the Orpheus, and to have ended them in our new building.

But, as we tell the students every year, it is not an ending- this is only the beginning of their time as artists. The staff are proud of their achievements over the three years of their degree studies, and are confident that their combined efforts stand-up well with the many strong shows of previous years.

We thank them for adding another exciting chapter to the Painting department’s history.

Staff who have worked on the chapter with them during their degree studies:

Dougal McKenzie, Dr Suzanna Chan, Dr Cherie Driver, Dr Louise Wallace, Dr Doris Rohr, Paddy McCann, Dr Alistair Herron, Howard Wright, Professor Brian Bishop