Beyond the Muse: Frankie Goes to Art School

Hello! My name is Frankie and I am raising money toward fees for my second year of art school.

What for?

I have completed the first year of the Diploma in Art and Contemporary Craft (DACC) at the prestigious West Dean College, where I am achieving consistently high grades for assignments and have made tangible progress developing my creative career.

More about the course here:

https://www.westdean.ac.uk/degrees-and-diplomas/ba-art-contemporary-craft

Why is it so important?

I am excited to be having a baby in December! But as you can imagine this makes it even more critical that I have the structure and support of the part-time course so that I can strengthen my existing freelance work and forge a sustainable future in the arts.

About Me

I have worked as an artists’ model for the past 15 years, and having spent a lot of time at West Dean in this capacity it feels fitting to now be following in the footsteps of the female surrealists connected with the place (Leonora Carrington, Leonor Fini, etc) who were able to transcend the role of 'muse' to be recognised artists in their own right.

Modelling has always been the main thread of my creative practice, and has offered me a place in the most amazing community- not just in Brighton but worldwide. At art school, my work continues to examine the role of the model throughout art history, and I am currently exploring the use of digital platforms as performance spaces. My crocheted costume pieces interact with the body and use it as a story telling device/ exhibition space.

I am interesting in building specialist craft skills, and am working with Irish crochet techniques and natural dyeing. I am committed to a relatively low impact life style, using recycled materials where possible. I love being able to transform humble materials into something wonderous through handwork.

I was lucky enough to receive some funding for the first year, along with support from friends, family and patrons within the creative community. It was a huge risk for me financially but the progression I’ve made with my work is evidence that it has been worth it. The sacrifices I’ve made prove my commitment to the arts at a time when things seem most insecure; with many cuts being made whilst events, institutions and markets struggle under the cost of living crisis.

The course is not currently eligible for student loan. The part time programme does allow me to continue my freelancing work, and the course has fed into my modelling and vice-versa. I’ll be on maternity leave from December, so earning less than the past school year as well as having a little extra commitment(!!)

How you can help:

I have applied for every fund I can to allow me to compete the second year, but have not been able to raise enough so far.

So, if you were planning to buy me a drink or a coffee in the near future, I'll be so grateful for anything at all you can contribute toward my studies. The course begins coincidentally in October, my birthday month..

The majority is for tuition fees (£5750 for the year) but I hope to raise extra to help toward travel and accommodation during study blocks, plus art materials/ books/ exhibitions etc. (altogether roughly £250 per month).

I will organise a zoom drawing session and photo set as a thank you for your support, and of course invite you to my exhibitions!