About our mentors

An international Textiles Artist and tutor who’s work crosses the boundaries of textiles, mixed media and drawing. Exhibited in the UK and internationally, receiving many funding awards to travel to symposiums, residences and exhibitions.  A founder member of European Tapestry Forum and STAR* (Scottish Tapestry Artist Regrouped) Fiona is active in promoting contemporary Scottish tapestry to a wider audience.

Area of practice is drawing and painting, who has had many years’ experience teaching a range of learners particularly in relation to the figure and portraiture. Christine has a broad practical and contextual knowledge for her subject as well as a broad understanding of the creative industries and of gallery application and structures.

Has extensive knowledge of the history of paint and painting approaches, with a particular interest in the use of colour. Her practice centres on drawing and painting and often incorporates traditional approaches such as silver point, egg tempera and fresco. Olivia has had many exhibitions nationally and several internationally.

Ronald is also a practicing artist and has most recently exhibited in London and Adelaide, Australia'. He has many years’ experience of teaching and lecturing, currently within Continuing Studies and Visual Culture at Edinburgh College of Art, supporting undergraduate students with their ideas development, critical thinking and continued Professional Practice. He is also in the final stages of completing his PhD and, as the Chairperson and Lead Curator with Black Cube Collective, has afforded extensive experience working with artists, galleries and other organisations at an international level, developing opportunities and exhibitions for emerging artists.

A visual communication designer and educator whose practice uses design as a tool to initiate social and cultural dialogue. Pushpi has curated exhibitions with cultural institutes and diplomatic missions in Sri Lanka, exploring themes such as migration and hybrid cultures.  Currently, she is pursuing PhD research in transnational design education and the role of cultural context in learning, motivation, and pedagogy. She has worked as a designer in India, Sri Lanka and the UK, experimenting with combining analogue techniques with digital media. 

Oliver has gained many years’ experience and knowledge both as a practitioner and educator within the Fine Arts, with a current interest in the natural environment. His practice currently centres on a range of drawing and painting approaches, exploring ideas of experience and memory. Oliver is the Art and Design Course Organiser within The Centre for Open Learning and has had both group and solo exhibitions, taking up art residencies both within the U.S.A. and UK.