The MCAST Institute of Art and Design Projects Exhibition is being held at the St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, Valletta between Saturday 5 July and Sunday 27 July. This is the seventh Exhibition since the Institute was set up in 2001.

This year there are over 115 projects on display. Materials, both resistant and non-resistant, range from textiles, limestone, ceramics, glass-reinforced plastics, wood and metal. The projects are the final year work of students ensuing one of the following courses at the Institute: First Diploma in Art and Design, National Diploma in Foundation Studies in Art and Design, National Diploma in Design Crafts, Higher National Diploma in Graphic Design and Higher National Diploma in 3D Design.

Students enrolled in the First Diploma in Art and Design created their projects according to a given theme namely “flora and fauna”. Students sought inspiration from this generic theme yet developed their own individual response.

The projects exhibited by students following the National Diploma in Foundation Studies in Art and Design were all self-initiated. Students explored an individual theme and designed a functional product. The projects include a candle holder in stone, an ornament structure in ceramics, a free-standing structure in stone and a centrepiece in stone.

The National Diploma in Design Crafts, Higher National Diploma in 3D Design and Graphic Design students produced very interesting and innovative work making full use of the new software which MCAST is continually updating to reflect professional standards.

External BTEC verifier Marilyn Gauld stated that “a high standard of creative work has been achieved this year throughout all the programme levels. Students demonstrated practical skills and knowledge understanding in their chosen vocational areas”.

As from October 2008 the Institute will be introducing two new courses namely the MCAST-BTEC Higher National Diploma in Interactive Media and the MCAST-BTEC Higher National Diploma in Fine Arts. The MCAST-BTEC Higher National Diploma in Interactive Media has been designed to prepare learners to work in interactive media related careers e.g. web design, TV and video editing, multimedia design and 3D animation. The course provides opportunities for students to develop their ability in the interactive media area through effective use and combination of creative knowledge and computer skills. The MCAST-BTEC Higher National Diploma in Fine Arts will encourage students to experiment and develop skills across a broad range of fine art media and methodology. It is a 16-unit qualification of which seven are compulsory. These core units may be considered a synthesis of the most important elements of professional fine art practice.

The Projects Exhibition is a showcase of students’ work. It demonstrates that students have acquired the appropriate practical and technical skills, theoretical understanding, research skills and also critical awareness. Students interested in studying Art and Design are strongly encouraged to visit the Exhibition which is open to the general public till the 27 July between 9am and 9pm.

For further information on the courses on offer one can also attend the information talk on the Institute of Art and Design which will be held tomorrow at 9am at the Students House, MCAST Main Campus, Corradino Hill, Paola.