Taking her art to the next level

Arts and design ākonga Renee Ross-Cranson ‘can’t wait’ for the Level 7 Design and Arts programme to begin at WITT Te Pūkenga. Not only will it mean she completes her degree, she also gets to do what she loves alongside tutors and ākonga who feel like friends.

“I’m really looking forward it and I hope to reconnect with people I have studied with,” says Renee.

Renee has a New Zealand Certificate in Art and Design (Level 4) and Level 5 and 6 Diplomas. By completing the year-long level 7 progamme, soon to be on offer at WITT, she will have earnt a degree.

“We’re pleased to be offering the Level 7 programme to extend our ākonga and their practice and know they get the reward and recognition of a degree at the end of their journey with us,” says WITT Te Pūkenga Lead Creative Ged Guy.

The Design and Art degree features independent work focused on a learner’s specialist area and an industry internship. Learning will be studio-based at WITT with some collaborative blended learning with creative industries kaimahi and ākonga from UCOL Te Pūkenga in Whanganui.

An avid reader, Renee says she enjoys writing and research and is looking forward to be pushed more academically as well.

“I never feel finished as an artist – I am always learning and every day asking ‘what’s next?’,”

A big drawcard for returning to study is the tutors. Renee describes the WITT tutors as ‘amazing’ and credits them with making WITT the place it is for her.

“They are so humble and I don’t feel less than for not ‘being there’ as an artist,” she says.

Renee gets her inspiration for art from her love of tattoos. While drawing is her first love, she also enjoys abstract painting and printmaking.

“I like anything with bold lines, anything referencing traditional tattoo,” says Renee.

The new Level 7 Design and Arts programme is suitable for anyone building on a Level 6 Diploma qualification or those who plan to enrol in a degree.

“It’s an opportunity to further develop and refine your art and design and includes an invaluable internship,” says Ged.