After completing a BA in Intermedia, Stephanie was inspired to continue her studies at ECA due to the great balance of theory and practice offered on the Contemporary Art Practice - MA programme. 

Since graduating, Stephanie has worked as a freelance artist, exhibiting her work across Scotland. She was a part of the first all-inclusive fashion show shown at the Scottish Parliament building.

Why I chose to study Contemporary Art Practice - MA

I chose ECA for the range of facilities and cross-course options it provided. The main draw to the course was the tutors, their expertise and how they structured the course. It was a great balance of theory and practice and provided ample opportunities to think critically, meet others and self-organise.

The opportunities Edinburgh itself offers beyond the course also factored into my decision – being in a place where I felt like there was opportunities to extend my practice and engage with the local culture and art groups.

My time at ECA

I tried to get involved in as many projects as possible, starting with an ‘art crawl’ (via festival). We organised exhibitions and events across different venues in Edinburgh in an attempt to link up exhibitions/events people on the course were contributing to and maximise audience participation and experience.

Whilst on the course I listened to the tutors and tried to use the spaces within the art college and resources the university had, taking the opportunity to book out rooms or spaces and try different types of techniques/materials/processes to experiment and try new things. I took full advantage of the facilities the university had as I was aware that these would be harder to come by after graduating.

I also entered the SUPERSIZE ECA scaffolding banner competition – having X3 large scale banners produced with my designs during a period of construction. There was also the exhibition organised as part of/through the course at the Talbot Rice Gallery.

My experiences since graduating

Leaving was a bittersweet experience. I truly loved my time studying at ECA, being inspired, and motivated by the reading lists, discussions, feedback/critiques and conversations with the tutors and other students is something I have missed.

I had hoped that after graduating I would be able to keep making art and exhibiting in different places, which has (so far) been achieved, although there is a slight delay in the ability to produce due to a lack of access to such great facilities.

The tutors have been tremendously helpful and supportive since graduating - keeping in touch and championing/supporting my progress etc. And on occasion referring or pointing me to opportunities and open calls. The tutors provided practical and pertinent advice whilst on the course to take advantage of the time to use the facilities, experiment and take the time to make connections and friends. I was able to build a support network of peers that has been helpful since leaving.

Since leaving ECA I have been a part of organising my own exhibitions, creating an artist collective group (Tragicom Collective - a fluid group of artists based across Scotland's central belt), applying for and receiving funding grants to create exhibitions/shows. I also exhibited again at the Talbot Rice Gallery in response to the John Akomfrah's 'Vertigo Sea' show and the RSA through a submission with the VAS group.

I have collaborated with fashionABLE and models of diversity with the first all-inclusive fashion show shown at the Scottish Parliament building and further workshops based at Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre. I was also commissioned to produce a piece of work (still on display) at the Harris Museum and Gallery.

I have also been employed as the exhibition assistant for the Out of Sight Out Of Mind exhibition (based in Summerhall), and am currently employed as a graphic designer and have just made a website I have begun to sell my art/designs through.

My advice to new and current students

Take opportunities to engage in what facilities and opportunities the university has – there used to be an innovation week fund for projects which I would recommend and other such opportunities.

Take the time to make friends, engage and network to build up a community you can engage and count on as you will need them when you leave!

Once you have graduated, remember to take the time to rest, to reflect on what you have achieved, what has worked and what hasn’t and remember that time outside of university is very different. Be kind to yourself – real life has a way of taking over when you are outside of the university bubble and you may start to feel like you’re missing out, or not doing enough or not achieving things. But applying to things and slowly chipping away at work can and should be acknowledged as achievements in and of themselves too.