Art School Re-Opens After Year Long Refurbishment

Courses at the extended and re-furbished Putney School Of Art & Design begin

The Oxford Road school has undergone major building improvements and now boasts a brand-new studio created on the old flat roof.

The school now also has a lift for the first time, making it easier for people with mobility difficulties to take courses, an enlarged and better-equipped digital studio, used for web design, digital photography and digital design courses, and a new seminar space and library.

There is now space for up to 4,000 student enrolments over a full year, and waiting lists should be reduced.

The £800,000 refurbishment was backed by funding from the Learning and Skills Council, Wandsworth Council and the Friends of Putney School of Art.The school is run by the council and the official re-opening was attended by, among others, the mayor of Wandworth, Cllr Brian Prichard, the leader of the council and Putney councillor, Edward Lister, Justine Greening MP, the cabinet member for environment and leisure Cllr Sarah McDermott, president of the Putney Society Anthony Marshall, chairman of the Friends of Putney School of Art, Rob Dark, and artist and Dean of Wimbledon College of Art, George Blacklock.

The Putney Society also unveiled its Blue Plaque to commemorate the school's co-founder and former Mayor of Wandsworth, Sir William Lancaster.

Cllr McDermott said the new art school had been well worth the wait:
“Putney School of Art and Design has an excellent reputation and already attracts students from Putney and beyond. Now many more people can benefit from the state-of-the-art facilities offered here.”

New courses start immediately after the school re-opened for teaching on November 9th, including specially-designed sessions for beginners in drawing and painting, plus new advanced classes for more experienced students.

Find out more on 020 8788 9145, email putneyschoolartanddesign@wandsworth.co.uk or visit the website at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/psad

June 22, 2010