Alesund Art School Welcome to explore our website. The school is situated right in the center of the photo. Alesund Art School gives a two year foundation for Post Graduate Art Schools within Fine Art, Arts and Craft and Design, Architecture and Public Media.

Norwegian art schools Norway has 8 schools of this kind, approved by the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. ALESUND ART SCHOOL - TUITION Modest size of the school (only 20 new students each year, average age is 23) gives teachers plenty of opportunity to give each individual student personal guidance and thorough evaluation during their training. Teaching language is Norwegian. All of our teachers are professional artists. For further dynamics and scope in training and syllabus, we bring in several guest teachers. As a result several of our students have moved on to post graduate art schools national and international and often to very different careers, also other than the purely artistic. TIMETABLE The year at Alesund Art School goes from end of August to mid June, and is organized in theme courses that last for one to several weeks. Normally we start at 9am and finish at 3pm. A few courses like sketching and other short courses might be placed later in the afternoon. The school is open for individual work at night. Certain periods in the 2nd year the students can choose themes or specific subjects and work on their own projects. TUITION FEES Tuition fees for the school year 2009/2010 are NOK 30.000. Expenditure for materials will amount to about NOK 6000, though depending on personal use. This is a link to FIRST HAND information for foreigners about STUDIES IN NORWAY

How to reach us Location/postal address : Hellegata 12, 6004 Ålesund, Norway (100 yards from the canal in the below photo) Tel. : + 47 70 12 63 15 Fax : + 47 70 13 35 44 E-mail address : post@alesundkunstfagskole.no If you phone us we shall be able to communicate in either English, Spanish, German and Russian. Internet: www.alesundkunstfagfagskole.no Click to learn more about ALESUND TOWN, OCEAN AND FJORDS

How to apply Applications are welcomed in summer, preferably in May/June (please contact us anyway about the deadlines), and must contain a CV and a portfolio containing 3 smaller (max sizes A3) original works, for instance drawings and colour sketches. (These are in safe hands and will be returned to you later.) Applications are evaluated by a jury and reply is given in June/July.

DESCRIPTION OF OUR COURSES/DEPARTMENTS STARTING WITH : 3D MODELLING The courses give a general foundation in three dimensional modelling and qualify for further studies within arts and crafts and free art, architecture, scenography, multimedia, etc. In addition to practical assignments, the students work with different art expressions where they can focus on thought\concept. Courses last for about four weeks per term. 1st year course In first two terms students are introduced to techniques and materials from the tradition of classical sculpture. Anatomy is learnt by study of live models. We learn casting techniques using plaster, rubber, silicone, etc. 2nd year course During 2nd year the three dimensional concept is extended, and we focus on interaction between object and room and manipulating of space using different means and techniques. We work with installation, performance and multi media expressions and the idea itself is given a lot of attention. Anatomy studies and technical learning continues. In the 4th semester, students work on independent projects within optional 3D media. Leon Roald, teacher 1st year Educated from Kunsthøgskolen (Post graduate art school) in Bergen, Institute for Ceramics (1972-76) and part studies in Barcelona, Bergen and Oslo. Institute leader at Institute for Ceramics at Kunsthøgskolen in Bergen 1983-86. Works with sculpture in plaster, bronze, ceramics etc. Last exhibition at Aalesund Art Gallery September 2003.The last 10 years he has worked at the sculpture department at the school. Ståle Sørensen, teacher 2nd year Trained at Chelsea College of Art\Sculpture and Kunsthøgskolen in Bergen, Institute for Ceramics. Runs web page spontan.net and mobile gallery. Distributed for National Exhibitions with his project “Kurt Schwitters-we live 25 minutes too late” in 2002. Worked for U.F.O. Video program in mobile exhibition unit for the National Exhibition’s 50th anniversary, Bergen, Stavanger, September and October 2003. Timeplacement, Mobile Gallery, an exhibition with mainly Norwegian artists, Bergen, Molde, Svolvær, Tromsø, Kautokeino, Oslo. Getmyselfconnected, Mobile Gallery, a mobile exhibition with artists from five different countries and continents shown in Trondheim, Bergen and Oslo among other places. Last separate exhibition (2001-03) Rogaland Art Centre, Hordaland Art Centre and Gallery III, Oslo. click to visit the BIG site about Norwegian public art

DEPARTMENT OF COLOUR Egg, vinegar, glycerol…..the students are taught old and new painting techniques and the fantastic world of colours is gradually revealed. Colours can be put in system and knowledge about practical and art historical possibilities give tools for creating pictures. By experiencing communicating with colours, students extend their language of colour, and the view on what is ugly and pretty and possible\not possible is expanded. Courses last from one to four weeks. 1st year In the first year students are given a practical introduction to colour and picture theory and the main focus is on actually getting down to painting. Students learn the basics, like stretching a canvas and different types of priming. They learn to grate oil colours, mix tempera and acryl colours. We work light or dense, with transparent layers or dense, opaque coats. They learn to reproduce exactly the colours of the motive and to develop personal colour expressions and interpretations of the forms they observe. We focus on the way colours influence each other. We also explore the human being and learn anatomy, take segments and compose motives from interior landscapes. 2nd year In the 2nd year we continue to develop our technical experiences through visual approaches to creating a picture. The students get assignments, where they through a specific theme shall gather information and translate it into a visual expression. They can choose whether they want to choose two or three-dimensional contexts and also what materials they want to use. The students are given a lot of freedom in regards to personal form and choice of theme. Marianne Molvær Nygård, teacher 2nd year Trained at IFM, Westerdals Reklameskole (Advertising) as Art Director, and at Kunsthøgskolen in Bergen\Institute for graphic design and illustration. Honours degree where the theme was visualised through graphic art, art boxes, sculpture, books and text. Worked for five years at Hatlehols as a graphic designer.

PHOTO AND DIGITAL MEDIA The students have their own computer room at the school. We have brand new Macintosh machines with Adobe programmes like Photoshop, Indesign, Illustrator etc. We arrange foundation courses in basic computer skills and digital picture treatment. One aim is to make a personal porfolio, compose text and illustrations, burn it on a CD, etc. Photo The school has a dark room for daily use with very good equipment. The students are offered introduction courses in photo and dark room techniques where they are able to use the very well equipped professional studio of photographer Ottar André Anderson. Use of camera is also regarded as very important in order for the students to document their work at the school, and to make porfolios. A lot of the students have their own camera, but the students can get training in using the equipment at the school; new digital still photos and video camera. Darkroom course part 1 (Content) History Photo chemicals Health, Environment, Safety Film developing Contact copying Copying Paper developing Introduction to photography (Content) History Lighting Construction of cameras: 135, 120 and 4x5 Basic techniques Light\measurement\exposure Black and white film Composition Lecturer in photography; Ottar Andrè Anderson Advertising, fashion and industry are main fields of work. Has worked with photography as art form since the start of his career. Taken part in several collective exhibitions and has had four separate exhibitions. Member of Norwegian Photographers’ Union.

GRAPHIC DESIGN A popular subject with the students The students are given basic knowledge of the fundamental principles of using picture and text to create a freer form of visual communication. The training aim to emphasize ways of looking at problems connected to advertising\commercial graphic art. Students will be working two and three-dimensional with effects like print\typography, logo, photo\illustration and word\text. "The right language" (article) Design means to give something a form. In graphic design you have to manage to translate content to as visual language that gets visible through typography, photo\picture, format, paper\three dimensional form and colours. The content must get a form that speaks the right language, so that the finished product stands out with a distinct and believable identity. Aaron Burns says: “Perfect communication is person to person. You see me, hear me, smell me. TV is the other form of communication; you can see me and hear me. Radio is the next; you can hear me, but not see me. And then we have the prints. You cannot see or hear me, so you have to be able to interpret what kind of person I am through the printed page. This is where graphic design gets into the picture. In order to create these different personalities you have to have knowledge about how colour form and colour influence us and the language the different types of fonts represents. There is no right answer. You can describe the process as a serious game where imagination, talent and involvement create a visual world which mirrors the content in a new and interesting way. We have to make the receiver believe in the world we present him with. If we are going to sell perfume, it cannot look or smell like coffee. Teacher 1st year; Chris Rønneberg Educated at Bergen Kunsthøgskole (post graduate art school), Institute of graphic design and Institute for furniture and interior. Artist within the fields of silk prints, collage and illustration. Holds honorary posts for Bildende Kunst (Fine Art) in Møre and Romsdal. Worked as a teacher and coordinator at Ålesund Kunstskole since 1992. Teacher 2nd year Marianne Molvær Nygård Trained at IFM, Westerdals Reklameskole (Advertising) as Art Director, and at Kunsthøgskolen in Bergen\Institute for graphic design and illustration. Honours degree where the theme was visualised through graphic art, art boxes, sculpture, books and text. Worked for five years at Hatlehols as a graphic designer.

THE STUDY OF ART HISTORY The main phases of the development of fine art with emphasis on European Art History is the theme in the 1st year’s lectures. In the 2nd year the focus is on contemporary art. The lectures last approximately 3 hours per week. Teacher; Tove Lande Art History, honours degree from Bergen University, Pedagogical basic course from Volda Postgraduate College, Administration & Leadership at Ålesund Postgraduate College. Runs courses and holds lectures on the subject. Has also published various articles. Works at Ålesund Art Society and has commissions for projects within Arts and Craft.

CREATIVE COMMUNICATION; A WORKSHOP In these classes we work on exercising our creative muscles in company with others. We all have a lot of unused resources and we work on mobilising our imagination, intuition, spontaneity, courage and joy through a serious of practical exercises. The students learn to communicate through different medias, physically, verbally and in writing. Teacher Eva Mørkeset Actress trained in Denmark and England. Worked as a freelance actress in London for 12 years. Has worked at Ålesund Kunstskole for four years. Also works at a children- and youth theatre in Ålesund; "Jugendteateret" and runs her own theatre company; “Heightened Reality”.

GRAPHIC ART Reversed mirror images, prints, black/white or colour, multiples and variations... Graphic art has always been connected to technological development. Modern mass media would have been impossible without the knowledge of printing. In the 1300th century we got the art of book printing, in the 1700th century the photograph appeared and now we have taken the first steps into the computer age. In our graphic art studio the students are investigating the possibilities of expression through preparation of wood- and metal plates. The first year they are introduced to “high print” (woodcut and lino) and “deep print” (corroding, aquatint, cold needle). The students gain experience with plates and tools, printer’s ink and paper. Workshop routines, trade terminology and subject history is all included in the tuition. Students also learn about the different means used in creating graphic art, like lines and shading, texture, shades of grey, black\white and colour. In the second year it is possible for the students to become more deeply absorbed in different areas of graphic art, as they investigate the subject more independently. We will also be looking at different areas where graphic art can be used and how this subject can be combined with totally different artistic expressions. Graphic art teacher; Marianne Boberg (speciality metal graphics) Educated from The University in Oslo, Einar Granums Art School and National Art Academy in Italy. Participated at Østlandsutstillingen, (A National Exhibition), Norwegian Graphic Artists’ Summer Exhibition, and Norwegian International Graphic Art Triennial. Separate exhibitions at several art galleries and art associations. Official sales to the National Gallery and Sogn and Fjordane Art Museum. Presently Chairman of Norwegian Graphic Artists and a member of the supervision board at Kunstnernes Hus in Oslo.

EXHIBITION OF STUDENTS WORKS We invite you to investigate the links presented in the schools exhibition area in the Norwegian main menu. Open Utstillinger (2nd from top) and have a look around. These are mainly photos from the quite large student exhibitions that are held every end of May in the City Art Hall. Also click here to visit links on "this" page to former students