Going to art college as a mature student

[Sidewalksue]

I’m fantasy planning. I already have a Masters degree in an unrelated subject.

I keep imagining if I could win some money I could justify going to art college (I should have done it the first time round). It’s not fine art that interests me. It’s making things, I can literally make anything but I’d love formal training to hone my skills.
I can’t justify it as I was actually made redundant last March and we are a shielding household. So once things improve I need to earn some money again...but I can dream.

Has anyone actually done it, just be interested to hear.

I work in the arts. I would advise you to start focusing in on the area you're interested in whether it's jewelry or textiles or whatever...and start training yourself.

I work in a gallery which sells a lot of handcrafted stuff...jewelry, furniture, plus paintings and sculpture etc.

Some of our artists are self-taught...not many but a few.

There are so many amazing tutorials on YouTube that if you've got patience and determination, you can teach yourself.

I’ve been making stuff for over 35 years. I just think something formal would push me further. I’ve done lots of courses over the years. Part of the problem is I’m fairly capable doing a variety of things so I don’t tend to specialise enough.

I went to art college for a foundation degree and there were lots of mature students as it was in an affluent area and I guess they just did it as a hobby.
We did textiles, print making, ceramics, painting, life drawing, mark making/drawing, graphic design/digital media, photography - both digital and traditional (learning to develop photos was interesting), photo editing, 3D design/woodwork, and art history. I loved it all! I don’t work in an artistic field now but it gave me good skills and it was a fantastic experience.
In the second half of the year they let you specialise in the two areas you like the most and you do a final project combining them.
I’ve recently discovered resin art and I really want to try that so I might treat myself to all the materials. Lots of things you can teach yourself watching YouTube videos if you have the materials and equipment required. So would be harder for things like printmaking without a printing press or ceramics without kiln or photography without a dark room. If you have a bit of space and can afford some materials you can start to practice yourself!

I can completely understand that OP...what sort of skills do you think you'd like to specialise in? My DD has just started art college and is loving jewelry. I've always fancied it myself.

Check out West Dean college near Chichester for specific courses

I think a foundation course would be amazing.
I’ve been doing things with textiles since I was a teenager, but I do a lot of mixed media now too. I can paint and draw to a high standard.
Over the years I’ve done silversmithing, pottery, print making, weaving. I feel like sometimes I need someone external to push me a little.
I’d love to go to west dean! Over 400 miles away though!

I did a foundation course as a mature student (early 30s), and then a Fine Art Degree. There were lots of people older than me though, probably because they ran a part-time course alongside a full time course, which had more 18 year olds in it (we were all in the same classes though).

It was great, I really enjoyed it. Lots of chances to try out different things in the Foundation course, but check what facilities are available at whatever colleges you look at.