North Island College fine art alumnus Keegan White is preparing to take his next step to become a master in his field, thanks to the foundation he gained in NIC鈥檚 fine arts diploma.
He鈥檒l be heading to Emily Carr University of Art + Design this fall, supported by a $4,000 entrance scholarship from the Audain Foundation.
White鈥檚 family has a history of artistic talent. He discovered his passion for painting while in high school and wanted to pursue that as his focus.
鈥淭he program at NIC introduced me to different mediums,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hen I was in high school, I was focused on painting, but I鈥檓 now working with video, sound, collaging, drawing 鈥� it鈥檚 really expanded my horizons.鈥�
White says the skills and techniques he learned at NIC have influenced his art and his approach to new pieces.
鈥淚 decide what I want to say and then figure out which medium is best to communicate that idea. The program also introduced me to combining mediums in ways I鈥檇 never considered before. Right now I鈥檓 working on a project combining painting and sound 鈥� with each working as a response to the other. By combining the two you get a completely different and unique experience.鈥�
NIC Fine Arts diploma offers instruction for an impressive range of mediums: printmaking, video, sculpture, painting, drawing, ceramics and photography, guiding students through hands-on practical learning to develop technical studio skills and their artistic voice.
鈥淚t was a delight to work with Keegan and watch his studio practice develop through experimentation and new technical applications and hard work,鈥� said Sara Vipond, NIC School of Fine Art faculty member and department chair. 鈥淎t NIC emerging artists have the opportunity to flourish and develop a strong creative and technical foundation they can continue to build on into the future.鈥�
White is looking to further explore different mediums as he finishes his degree at Emily Carr.
鈥淚 want to venture into mediums I鈥檝e never done. I think that Emily Carr would be a good place for that. My major would be painting, I would love to experiment.鈥�
As for his plans after finishing school, White is keeping an open mind.
鈥淭here鈥檚 so many possibilities, I want to see where the next few years takes me. I鈥檇 love to be a working artist, or possibly getting into tattoo work. I鈥檓 also interested in teaching in post-secondary. I love mentoring others and I love the idea of helping them learn how to effectively communicate ideas in their work. There鈥檚 so many opportunities.鈥�
For the upcoming academic year, the Fine Arts diploma will be offering both digital and blended studio courses, working to build a community of creatives and future artists.
鈥淭he transition to digital offers increased access for students throughout the region to explore our courses,鈥� said Vipond. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to welcome our new students this fall.鈥�
Applications for NIC鈥檚 Fine Arts diploma are open now. Courses can also be taken as individual electives. Learn more:
View more of White鈥檚 work on his Instagram account: @kgn.wht
