Last week, Art kicked off The Abbey Fringe Festival with 69 attendees and guest speakers from different areas of the Arts, including alumnae Pippa Nordberg (design and branding), Anna Moss (interior design), Anne Owens (architect), and Konrad Welz, who ran an interactive workshop in sound and visual effects.

“Having the opportunity to learn about different areas of the creative industry was a wonderful experience. It was great to hear and understand about the diverse range of opportunities within the creative arts. As a student aspiring to be an architect, it was amazing to learn firsthand what it’s like to work in the field of design and architecture.”
Ava, Lower VI

For the interactive workshop, the room filled with anticipation as Konrad Welz, a renowned animation and digital art specialist, took the stage. From the moment he began speaking, the audience was captivated. Welz shared his journey into the creative industries, offering insight into the realities of animation and digital art. His passion was infectious, and he spoke humbly about the successes and challenges he faced.

Welz was generous with his time, staying to answer questions and give advice to students eager to follow a similar path. He shared practical tips on using digital tools and explained how creativity and technology are reshaping the industry. His willingness to delve into the details of his craft made the talk feel like a rare opportunity to peek behind the scenes of the animation world.

Students left inspired, seeing the arts as a passion and a real-world career choice. This event, marking the start of a new focus on creative industries, promises to open up many more exciting opportunities for young people interested in pursuing a future in the arts.

Many thanks to all involved in making this happen and to all our curious Fringe Festival visitors!

Art & Design Team