Why Falmouth's online Fine Art master's is the best course I've ever done
27 November 2025
This article was written by Fine Art MA (Online) student Claire Rookes reflecting on a recent residential, an optional element for all online students at Falmouth.
Attending the Fine Art MA (Online) residential in Falmouth was one of the most enriching and memorable experiences of my creative life. From the moment I arrived, I felt a deep sense of welcome and possibility. The coastal setting and open atmosphere of the programme itself was brilliant. Everything was thoughtfully curated, from the workshops to the conversations, and the chance to meet fellow students and tutors in person gave the course a vivid sense of presence, connection, and shared purpose.
This residential reminded me why I love this course so deeply. It’s not just about making art – it’s about being part of something thoughtful, generous, and alive. Without question, it’s the best course I’ve ever done.
Our first day began at the Falmouth Campus, where we were welcomed with coffee, pastries, and introduction from Josie Cockram, our Course Lead. The atmosphere was warm and open, setting the tone for a week of creative exchange. We moved through a series of tactile, exploratory workshops: drawing with Jo Griffin, who leads our Sustainable Strategies module; a reflective library activity guided by tutor Lucy Sames; and a library tour led by Catherine Worrall, our Academic Liaison Librarian. Each encounter invited us to engage with materials in intuitive, playful ways, encouraging curiosity and sparking quiet revelations that lingered long after the sessions ended.
A particular highlight for me was the Illustration and the Paper Artefact conference. I had never made paper before, and the experience of crafting it by hand was both thrilling and grounding. The talks by artists Shaq Koyok and Tim Knowles were deeply moving – each revealing how paper, often taken for granted, can hold profound creative, cultural, and ecological significance.
We travelled to Kestle Barton – a gallery and garden nestled in the wild beauty of the Lizard Peninsula. Surrounded by meadows, orchards, and the nearby Helford River, the setting was nothing short of magical. There, I took part in artist Bram Arnold’s performance workshop, which invited us to explore language, silence, and ecological listening. It was a quietly transformative experience, opening new ways of thinking and feeling through art.
We were also fortunate to attend the opening of Bryan Ingham: Flowers and Jugs, an exhibition of previously unseen prints and drawings. The work was quietly resonant—intimate, textured, and full of presence. It felt like a gift to encounter it in such a contemplative space.
Our final evening was marked by a beach picnic and a group dinner in town. Sitting together, sharing food and reflections, we felt the fullness of the week – its creativity, care, and community. It was the perfect way to close a few days that had been rich with inspiration and connection.
This residential reminded me why I love this course so deeply. It’s not just about making art – it’s about being part of something thoughtful, generous, and alive. Without question, it’s the best course I’ve ever done.
Claire Rookes completed MA Fine Art Online in September 2025. Read more about her final project Transcending Time on her graduate group’s showcase The Unseen Thread.