Today I attended the COSLP Best Learner Awards which took place at 3.30pm at the House of Lords at Westminster. Thanks go to Lord Graham Tope for hosting and facilitating this wonderful event.
It was my privilege to introduce SCOLA’s winner of the Best Learner award, Margaret Sparks, to colleagues from various South London Colleges, families and friends of the Best Learner award winners and members of the House of Lords and Parliament. Formerly a librarian, Margaret retired in 2007. She has been studying printmaking with SCOLA for 3 years. She had studied history at Oxford University and originally specialised in basket making. She has always been interested in making crafts and studying part time whilst working. As design and drawing were part of her studies, she decided to attend drawing classes in order to expand her skills to printmaking.
Her tutor, Simon Burder, encouraged her to enter the V&A’s annual ‘Inspired by’ exhibition. Her entry, a lino cut entitled ‘A Medieval Forest’, the first print she has ever submitted or exhibited was not only chosen for exhibition, but also won the ‘Medieval & Renaissance Gallery’ prize and was on display at the V&A in Kensington in November 2010.
At the risk of embarrassing her, Margaret has developed her skills and confidence, becoming a dedicated and committed student. She is a wonderful example of a student using and enjoying retirement to continue to further her knowledge and skills, participating with and inspiring her fellow students, and always being very modest about her achievements.
Margaret says that having her work exhibited has changed the way that she looks at herself and has given her the confidence to develop artistically and most important of all, has made her family proud!
I was accompanied by Angela Williams, Programme Manager – Creative Studies, Art & Design, who works tirelessly to ensure her department runs smoothly and has the admiration and support of her students and colleagues, Simon Burder a dedicated and very encouraging tutor who has been instrumental in Margaret’s achievement and of course Margaret herself who I am sure, enjoyed the proceedings. We were sad that Margaret’s daughter, Hana, was unable to join us to celebrate this event - having given birth to twins in January this was fully understandable. We made sure we captured the event in photographs for her to enjoy.
I must add that my greediness of tucking into not only one, but 2 freshly baked scones did not go unnoticed. Not sure if I am going to live this one down… I guess people will question my munching on celery if they find out about this… better think of an excuse and quick. Any ideas?!!
Saboohi Famili
Principal
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