<p>Extended Degree Course Manager Helen Markes said, "Students bring a multitude of prior skills and knowledge to the course, which they build upon and share in their journey to creative degree-level study.</p> <p>“Looe is an exciting local seaside town that has a great deal to offer, there is a vibrant and thriving community built on hard work and positivity, something we encourage our students to contribute to. The town has really embraced our annual sand sculpture competition, which is now in its eighth year. The day is a great opportunity for our new students to engage in group work, broaden their art and design knowledge and collaborate.”</p> <p>The East Looe Town Trust awarded a £50 prize to the best sculpture created by the students, in a competition judged by local contemporary glass artist, Sandy Horton, and local abstract painter, James Howe, who worked on the films Blade Runner and Local Hero.</p>

<p>Mayor Armand Toms and John Warne CB were also in attendance. John Warne CB, a longstanding supporter of Plymouth College of Art’s annual beach sculpture competition, stepped down as Chairman of the East Looe Town Trust following the event, after seven years of service.</p> <p>Judges Sandy Horton and James Howe said: "We were extremely impressed by the way students interacted with each other this year, particularly considering the diverse age range. The students were communicative and the teamwork exhibited was very impressive. They worked extremely hard and without interruption, even when the weather turned wet and windy.</p> <p>"Their tenacity and hard work paid off, the sun came out and the sculptures once again emerged from the sand demonstrating skill and professionalism. It is reassuring to see students challenging their perceptions of art and design and making the most of the collaborative opportunities.”</p>

<p>Photos of the sand sculpture competition were captured by <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-commercial-photography-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BA (Hons) Commercial Photography for Fashion,Advertising&amp; Editorial</a> student Taylor Harford, who joined the college three years ago studying an Extended Degree.</p>

<p>Our Extended Degree course is an intensive course that prepares students for specialist BA (Hons) degree study. Working across different disciplines through practical workshops and seminars, students learn through discovery, experimentation, and exploration, experiencing a broad range of media, materials, processes, resources and equipment to discover their own individual creative specialism within the arts.</p>

<p><strong>Photos By Taylor Harford, <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-commercial-photography-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BA (Hons) Commercial Photography for Fashion, Advertising &amp; Editorial</a> student. See more of his work on Instagram at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/taylorharfordphoto/">@TaylorHarfordPhoto</a>.</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.plymouthart.ac.uk/posts/extended-degree-or-foundation-diploma-which-is-best-for-you" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">We catch up with Helen Marks to chat about the difference between Extended Degree and Foundation Diplomas</a></li><li><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/level-0-extended-degrees" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Explore our Extended BA (Hons) Degree options</a></li></ul>