Episode 01 - First Things First

Episode 1, First things First charts the changes that took place in the first year studies programme at Glasgow School of Art from 1968 to now. GSA ran a two-year general course as an integral part of the diploma programme up until 1970 when it changed to a one year course, eventually becoming more like a foundation. The podcast is a combination of people who had studied on the first year programme and others who had taught on it. It includes in order of appearance: Jimmy Cosgrove studied at GSA from 1968-1972, specialising in Printed Textiles. He became a member of staff from 1973-1999 and held a number of positions during this time including; Head of Printed Textiles, Head of First Year Studies and Deputy Director from 1990-1999. Jacki Parry studied at the School from 1970-1975, specialising in Printmaking and then gained a post-graduate diploma in Printed Textiles. She worked in both the Design and Fine Art schools and became Head of Printmaking in 1991. Peter Bevan taught in First Year Studies from 1973-2003. He’d studied at Gloucestershire College of Art and Design in Cheltenham in 1964 and later graduated from a Masters from the Royal College of Art, before coming to teach at Glasgow. Alastair Macdonald studied at GSA from 1973-1977, specialising in Product Design. He came to teach First Year Studies at GSA in 1983 and then went on to teach at the Design School. He is currently Senior Researcher in the School of Design. Bill McQuarrie studied at GSA from 1973-1977, specialising first in Graphic Design and then Drawing and Painting, spending his final year in Mixed Media. Brian Kelly studied at GSA from 1976-1980 specialising first in Printmaking and then Mixed Media. He started to teach at the School from 1985 and currently teaches 4th year Sculpture and Environmental Art. These podcasts have been written and produced by Debi Banerjee for GSA’s Archives and Collections. Music by Peter Boggon