Laura Kingswood Smith
Art, Design, Textiles and Fashion lecturer, Fort William
Background & Interests
Laura has worked for UHI since 2019 as a Lecturer specialising in Art, Design, Fashion and Textiles, and latterly also Teacher Education.
Having trained in Fine Art in Leeds and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, she went on to complete a Masters in Textiles at Goldsmiths College, London.
Artwork from this time explored the intersection between Fine Art & Textiles, with a focus on the meaning held by garments, in stitch, storytelling, repetition and the everyday.
Whilst living in London, Laura worked in fashion and printed textile production and for galleries such as White Cube and contemporary artist Damien Hirst.
On returning home to the Highlands, she worked freelance in Arts Education for several years before formalising her qualifications through the completion of a Postgraduate Degree in Education at Moray House, University of Edinburgh and teaching in schools.
Whilst her children were young (and sleeping!), she picked up a paintbrush again, creating paintings inspired by the landscapes, flora and fauna of Lochaber. She has painted work for commission and has developed artwork for print, sale and exhibition in the local area.
Laura continues to sketch and produce work around her teaching commitments, encouraging and inspiring others in their studies. She enjoys helping students to find their own voice and personal style through the exploration of materials and techniques in art, fashion and textile design. She is passionate that these opportunities should be available to those who grow-up, live, work and raise their children in the Highlands.
Teaching Responsibilities
- NC Creative Industries: Art & Design Portfolio with Textiles
- NQ Art & Design with Textiles
- NQ Introduction to Sewing
- National 4/5 Fashion & Textile Technology
- PGDE Placement Tutor
Academic Qualifications
- Master of Arts in Textiles – Goldsmiths College, University of London
- Professional Graduate Diploma in Education - University of Edinburgh
- Bachelor of Arts (first class Honours) in Fine Art - University of Northumbria at Newcastle
- BTEC Diploma in Foundation studies in Art & Design – Leeds College of Art & Design