Katie May Anderson

Katie May Anderson set up a collaborative project called Darning Newham with another alumni working with Newham Council’s Newham Heritage Month. She is currently a Textiles teacher at a secondary school in North London. Katie is a former A Level student at NewVIc. She came from Kingsford Community School and studied A Levels in Textiles, Fine Art and English Literature. She progressed onto study a foundation diploma in Art and Design at the Kingston University before going to study BA (Hons.) Performance Costume at the University of Edinburgh. We caught up with Katie to find out a little more on her journey since NewVIc.

What made you apply to NewVIc?

My brother and sister both attended NewVIc and had a wonderful experience. I tried looking at other colleges, not wanting to follow in my siblings footsteps, but as it turned out NewVIc had a great reputation for the subjects I wanted to do. What really made me decide to go to NewVIc was when I came in to show my portfolio; I was so amazed by the facilities in the art and design department. To have screen printing, a heat press and such large open studios is something you rarely see at a lot of other colleges, it highlighted to me that NewVIc really cared about its creative courses.

Tell us about your journey from NewVIc to where you are now?

At NewVIc I learnt to expand my interest in design and I was given so many amazing extracurricular opportunities that fuelled my passion. I left NewVIc with a strong portfolio thanks to the guidance of my teachers, it got me into the competitive Art & Design Foundation course at Kingston University. From Kingston I got a place at University of Edinburgh to study BA (Hons.) Performance Costume. At university I was involved in exhibitions, student films and theatre shows, becoming Wardrobe Manager at Bedlam Theatre in my final year. Unfortunately my degree was cut short due to the pandemic and I completed my final costume and coursework in my flat.

From there I moved back to Newham and started working at a secondary school in North London. In the midst of the lockdowns I have taught Textiles to KS3 students from home (a difficult subject to translate digitally!) and now in school. I am delighted to be using my textiles knowledge to teach students and I often think back to NewVIc lessons to inspire me!

I organised a project called Darning Newham for Newham Heritage Month with fellow NewVIc alumni Memunatu Barrie. We wanted to create a project that could give back to NewVIc in some way, as it was the start of our own creative careers. We ran a competition for NewVIc Art and Design students to design a textile print to be used for Newham Heritage Month 2021 and win a prize of a £250 art shop gift voucher. It was such a rewarding experience to work with the college on a creative collaboration and we were so impressed by the work produced by current students.

How did you get into the position that you are in?

As a recent graduate in the middle of a pandemic I was looking for any creative opportunities I could find. I had created a series of textiles workshops as part of my position at Bedlam Theatre and really enjoyed that teaching role. That experience helped me get the position as a KS3 Textiles teacher but it also taught me how important it is to create your own opportunities. When the Newham Heritage Month open call for applications came about I knew I had to make a project for it. I reached out to Memunatu Barrie, who was in my Textiles class at NewVIc and the Darning Newham project really grew from there.

What are your memories of NewVIc?

Most of my favourite memories were in the art and design department, our teachers were fantastic and made the course really enjoyable as well as challenging. Of course one of the best things about NewVIc are the amazing cookies from Sid’s Cafe, I am hoping working with NewVIc again means I can get a supply!

What is your advice for students considering NewVIc and pursuing a career like you?

Do not be afraid to pursue a creative career, everyone who isn’t in the creative arts will try to ward you off! There are so many creative industries, even new emerging ones, that need skilled artists and designers. I would suggest that you reflect on your strengths early on and specialise in an area, like I chose costume design. Get involved in every opportunity that comes up and if none arrive then make opportunities for yourself. Create projects, form collaborations, sign up to everything!

How did you find the teaching at NewVIc? Did it prepare you for your next educational step?

Charlotte Amore and Louise West who taught Textiles were delightful and so knowledgable. Every Textiles lesson was engaging and stretched our creative skills. Vikki Hill taught Fine Art and was such an amazing teacher, pushing us to work in new ways and introducing us to so many areas of art. Hilary Blackburn, our art technician always kept us supplied with everything we needed for our projects. As a department they truly were outstanding and supported us in whatever unusual projects we came up with!

What were your next steps after leaving college?

After completing my A Levels at NewVIc, I went onto study a foundation diploma in Art and Design at the Kingston University before studying a BA (Hons.) Performance Costume at the University of Edinburgh.

How would you describe yourself before you came to NewVIc?

I was in the midst of a bereavement and was very unsure of my future. NewVIc was a new start and while it prepared me for university, it was most importantly fun, which is exactly what I needed.

What are your future plans?

To find new creative opportunities and continue the Darning Newham project to hopefully return next year for Newham Heritage Month 2022! It has been amazing to find such a great collaborative partnership with Memunatu and to work with NewVIc again, I hope that we can continue to work together in the future.