Forres' Kim Welch graduates with honours
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FORRES' Kim Welch was one of the proud Moray College UHI graduates at Elgin Town Hall earlier this month.
Although Ms Welch was disappointed she couldn't be one of the 248 people in attendance at the ceremony – she has praised the impact her art course has had on her life.
Kim, who has earned herself a First Class in Fine Art from the Moray School of Art, has used the skills earned during her degree already and is set to study for a Master of Fine Arts at the Edinburgh College of Art next year.
Having moved to the United Kingdom from South Africa in 2009, and then to Forres in 2012, Kim has brought up her son Sam in the town and has taken herself back into education – by studying at UHI.
She said: "It feels great, it's just a shame I couldn't make the graduation. Going to Moray College UHI was the best thing I have ever done.
"Being offered the space and time to experiment, define and refine my own creative practice was an invaluable opportunity.
"I thrived on every single bit of it. The Moray School of Art offered me the greatest opportunity and the best experience ever."
Ms Welch, who is now in her mid 50s, would encourage anyone – younger or older – to go to the Elgin campus if possible.
She added: "There is a real mix of people. The young learn from the old and the old from the young.
"What you put in you get out of it, but everyone is there and in it together."
Kim has exhibited her work extensively across Moray since 2017 and is currently displaying her work at the Sounding Boards and Landing Boards at the The Suttie Arts Space and The Small Gallery, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary from September 28 to November 17.
