Chelsea College of Art and Design

I came here to do a course in 1984 – 5 when Chelsea was at Manresa Road, Kings Road, Chelsea. It was a 2 year course centred around
Bagley Lane, Fulham annex. First year was like a Foundation, then Second year was a specialism… what happened to was beyond belief and I have never spoken about it until now.
The first day was Chaotic as I/​we didn’t know each other, to my knowledge there hadn’t been an introductory day. The course was chaotic, Students didn’t know what to do… They were hanging around doing nothing and talking… The head made every student fill out an assessment form rating the quality of the course at the beginning without experiencing it first to get good stastistics. They were then given what looked like childish projects. Work was not assessed properly. I was the only student not given a drawer for my work and I couldn’t get one. I then was allowed to leave it in an Italian Girl’s drawer… Georgina Alexandria Concato?
The Teacher’s called me into their office regarding a poisoned pen-​letter sent to them
by my sister Belinda Davies .She didn’t want me to do Art! They asked me to read it
but I did not as it was awful, nasty, childish rubbish. Except they took it seriously…
As the course progressed I realised I had become isolated, and disregarded. Not
much communication, or talking was apparent. The one guy I passed a few comments
to was a Mohican punk from Belsize Park called Asa Riches .but I was made to realise as his father was an Architect and my Mother a Machinist (a one-​parent situation) I wasn’t accepted. I had some bullying from students in the circle of the
Italian girl. I was slapped round the head when I went for lunch .
«BEATEN UP BY THREE TEACHERS AT THE CHELSEA SCHOOL OF ART!!!»
The First One.
A day out visiting the Exhibition -‘The AGE OF ROCOCCO’
Was quite an elderly teacher… when in the morning everyone turned up and went in I stood outside, while my back was turned he started throwing punches on my back.
The second one.
The most severe attack I had ever encountered. I was told not to use the college toilets by a student, when one day I had to. As I went in the youngish teacher followed me and went for me like a wild animal, ferocious, hard punches to my back. No reason for this… Later I think it was he who called me into his office to look at a picture of a man weilding a knife. He said this will happen to me later on.
Five months later I passed him by in Portobello Market when he put his hand over my head to smack me. The woman he was with said to me «That’s better.»
The Third one.
At the end of the year I did the Carpentry class which was my last day. I and my Sister knew the teacher who used to live locally to me in Mile End, London at 16 Rhondda Grove, Bow/​Mile End … He later sold his house and moved out of the area. My Sister used to visit him and sold him a drawing. I went with her once .
I was standing doing my project when a can of wood diy was knocked over.
Teacher told me to pick it up ‚“You ‘ve made a mess“He then started punching and slapping me round the head…
Later a girl approached me and told me I had been privileged… How? I had been and was poor. I searched for a Police station and could not find one… I spent all afternoon and evening walking asking but no one knew. I gave up and went home.
I remember that Asa Riches had asked me if I was returning to do the second year, and hoped I would but I didn’t go back and lost my chance of a certificate…
Peter L. Davies Tower Hamlets…

I did the Foundation Year here. I found this school to be a complete joke and waste of time.
*It’s called CHELSEA but isn’t in Chelsea?
*There is about 100 Students in one small studio space & 3 Teachers who have no idea who you are after weeks.
*You have to lug you art supplies to and from school everyday on the Underground or Bus.
*There is no Student housing so good luck finding affordable housing in London.
*Crits were an completely unhelpful. The teachers would only talk about 4 – 5 of the very «best ones» and everyone else was forgotten.
*You signed in on a piece of paper
*You weren’t required to take Art History? I found this upsetting because although I’m horrible at history and other humanities classes, I find art history crucial in any art major’s schooling. I asked why this wasn’t required and they told me I’d only take it if that was my major?!
*Lecture’s were one a week for one hour. During this hour they tried to sum up what would take semesters at any decent or even community college. We left feeling more confused.
* You had no access to any other studios (black room, ceramics, etc)
* I expect more out of my fellow art students. They were like clones. All dressing the same, looking the same, acting the same. Where was the individuality?
*All in all– This school’s reputation is too high. I think it’s because they use grads like Jimmy Cho and drop names to get a better rep. I’ve never been so turned off and uninspired before in my life.
*But on the plus side there was a bar in the school open at around 11 am. Teacher’s were usually the first ones in there. Maybe that’s how they got through their day knowing what bullshit they were selling.

So, my rating can feel a bit biased considering I graduated from here, but honestly if I didn’t feel it deserved it I would not rate it as high.
I initially begun my career in the Fine Art department, Art is something I cherish and is part of my life so at on point I decided I did not want to make this my source of living (if I could, there are more artists than doctors in London). So I made a change to Textile Design. A career that allowed me to still work with my hands and learn, at the same time, valuable machinery, computing and ceramic skills. I felt the course was very complete, and teaching was enough to guide you but not too much as to feel dictated by your tutors view. It was during my final year I fell pregnant and still decided to finish my degree. I could not have done this without the support of my husband, family, friends and tutors at uni, especially my stitch tutor Isabel Dodd. I don’t want to make a thank you speech but this is the kind of help you receive here.
It is an atmosphere of creativity with an amazing resource library and a great view of the river that can inspire even the dimmest of minds.

Chelsea College of Art and Design is part of the University of the Arts London. Out of the other colleges which are part of UAL, Chelsea is the most beautiful. Set in Millbank, it is right next to the Tate, and faces the Thames, and is away from the hustle and bustle of busy central London life.
It is one of the top colleges to go to in regards to the art and design world with a whole host of talented students with a lot to offer. Such alumni who have graduated from Chelsea include Chris Ofili, Steve McQueen, Ralph Fiennes and Alan Rickman.
There are a range of courses one can enroll to. From Foundation, to FdA, to BA and to MA courses. Under such mediums as Art & Design, Fine Art, Interior Design, Film and Video, Printmaking, culture and Textile Design.
If you’re interested in being in the art world, Chelsea is a great place to learn it. With such an interesting choice of courses taught by highly skilled professionals, you will definitely leave with a real sense of satisfaction as well as added knowledge and skills.

The Student work exhibited here every couple of terms or so always promises to be cutting edge, contrasting sharply with its neigbour Tate Britain. The last time i came here one student had built an entire house in the courtyard out of recycled objects, which got a fair bit of media coverage!