XMAS Illustration Print Fair Wednesday 7 Dec

Don't miss our inaugural XMAS Print Fair on Wednesday 7 Dec! Illustrator Mireille Fauchon will deliver a talk about the launch of her new book and the importance of self publishing as a platform for emerging talent, before opening the fair at 12.30pm. There will be a range of limited edition goodies for sale in the George Rodger Gallery at UCA Maidstone, everything from posters to scarves, created and printed by students and staff. Exclusive signed editions of Mireille's book will also be available. Come along for loads of great ideas for alternative gifts this year - all priced at £5 and under!

Visiting Lecture: Rebecca Davies

Royal College of Art graduate, Rebecca Davies, entertained illustration students with a talk including stories of the weird and wonderful characters she explores through her work. Rebecca works as an illustrator and film maker, documenting people and places and has recently completed a long term residency in the Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre in South London. Rebecca has been working with second year illustrators on a group publication...more details soon! Find out more about Rebecca's residency here: www.studioattheelephant.com
To see more of her drawings: www.illustrationsbyrebeccadavies.blogspot.com

Four Corners Books: The Prisoner of Zenda

Visiting Lecturer, Mireille Fauchon, winner of the Four Corners Books Open Submission, to make work in response to a classic novel, will have her interpretation of The Prisoner of Zenda published on 15 November. Congratulations Mireille!

UCA Illustration at Maidstone is moving to Farnham!

The BA Hons Illustration Course is moving to UCA Farnham. Our new First Years will be starting at the UCA Farnham campus in Surrey, on 1 September 2012. We are still the only BA Hons Illustration Course at UCA and we'll be bringing the success of the Illustration Course to a new venue! We're really excited about working in a communication media environment and trying out the great printmaking facilities at Farnham.

Alumni: Fernando Feijoo

Since graduating from the course Fernando has exhibited his work internationally. He worked as a Master Printmaker at the Curwen Studio for four years and is continuing to develop his work as well as teaching Printmaking at several universities across the UK. See more of his work here: www.fernandofeijoo.com

Cape Observer Comica Graphic Short Story Prize

Faye Moorhouse, who graduated this year, winning Best in Show at D&AD New Blood, has had her work featured on the Guardian website in the Cape/Observer/Comica Graphic Short Story Prize. Faye's book The Cat Ladies of Czechoslovakia was selected by judge Bryan Talbot as one of the best entries from the five years the competition has been running. Congratulations Faye!

Scott Dessert, who graduated from the course in 2010, has also had his short story, Catsitter, (there seems to be a bit of a theme developing!?) selected as one of the best entries for the prize. Scott works in a mixture of handmade and digital college. Well done Scott!

Alumni: Leah Fusco

Graduating in 2007, Leah Fusco won the V&A Student Illustrator of the Year Award for her book, Long Man. Since completing an MA at the RCA she has returned to the course as a lecturer and continued to develop her practice, exploring landscape and culture. This year, her work has been selected for the Cheltenham Illustration Awards and will be featured in the annual and on the awards website. Here are some images from her reportage project on immigration at the Port of Dover in Kent.

Magic Theatre Exhibition

Illustration staff, Iro Tsavala, Emily Mitchell and Astrid Chesney, have been invited to show their work at the Magic Theatre, the exhibition accompanying the International Illustration and Writing Symposium taking place on 3 and 4 November at Manchester Metropolitan University. Fellow exhibitors include Audrey Niffenegger, Geoff Grandfield, Dan Fern, Carolyn Gowdy and Anna Bhushan.

Iro Tsavala

Emily Mitchell

Audrey Niffenegger