UAL Extended Diploma in Fine Art Student Maria Pirjol is this years Joe Cole Award Winner, the award has been running for many years and is given to the student with the most outstanding work across FE and HE. The award is judged by a former employee Ken Young who taught alongside Joe Cole when they used to be lecturers here.

Joe is a former lecturer of the school that after returning from the war “developed into a highly respected and inspirational teacher who launched many successful art careers… a highly gifted artist in his own right, he never sought public acclaim. It was only after his death in 1984 that he began to be recognised as one of the leading British artists of his time.”

As the winner of the award, Maria – from Thornaby – received a cheque from our principal, her work has been bought by the school and will be displayed on campus along with the previous winners from over the decades. We spoke to Maria about the award and studying at the school, read on to find out more.

How did it feel to win this years Joe Cole Award?
Winning the Joe Cole Award for creating the most outstanding work has been an amazing experience as this body of work has been so important to me practically and conceptually, so I feel like my hard work over the last few months has paid off in ways I hadn’t even anticipated. It’s been great.

Why did you chose The Northern School of Art?
This college seemed like the perfect choice for the start of my career in the arts, as it is an entirely artistic environment, surrounded by like-minded people, amazing facilities and so many opportunities to develop as an artist.

Tell us about your favourite memory from studying with us!
The opening night for the final exhibition was an incredible experience, so it’s definitely one of my favourite memories at the college.

What are your next steps?
I am off to study Fine Art at Leeds Arts University, with hopes of becoming a full-time painter and getting into galleries.

Any advice for future fine are students?
I’d say accept as much help and advice as possible, your teachers want the best for you! Also don’t be afraid to try new approaches to your creative ideas, this is a perfect time for you to make mistakes and learn from them.

Interested in studying Fine Art at college level? Look no further! Our UAL Extended Diploma in Fine Art is a dynamic course with a track record of providing students with the skills needed to carve out successful careers in the industry. Find out more here.