A campaign has been launched in Thurles to have a long running PLC Course restored after it emerged that the course is not to be offered in the coming academic year. The Art Portfolio Course provided education in fine art, graphic design and photography amongst others to students considering going on to 3rd Level Education in the Arts.
Previous successful participants on the Course have begun a Petition on the My Uplift Platform and say the course is vital to help prospective students to enter courses in other institutions at third level such as those offered by the Institute of Design and Art in Dun Laoghaire.
Mark Maher says the fundamentals he obtained in Thurles echoed across his work as a designer model maker on some of the largest movies to date – The Hobbit Trilogy and Avatar. The failure to reinstate the course “would be a big blow to the art community in Thurles and Tipperary “according to Mr Maher, Odyssey Studios.
Jennifer Ryan Kelly says “The course has been a stepping stone for artists for the past 20-25 years under the guidance of a tutor who brings great experience and inspiration to the role.”
Ms Kelly now works as a graphic designer and animator after completing the Thurles Art Portfolio course to aid entry to a Degree course in Animation and Motion Design in Limerick College of Art and Design.
The petition has secured 392 signatures since it was launched on Monday August 14th. Tipperary ETB have been contacted for a response.
