Meet our tutors - Angela Collins

Angela Collins, our talented Craft tutor, has been exposed to all forms of art from a very young age. Her mother was a gifted seamstress who won a scholarship to an art school and her father, an accomplished knitter, produced remarkable architectural drawings.

Angela went on to study a City & Guilds course to gain a professional qualification. Whilst working full time she spent her spare time attending as many Embroidery courses as she could fit in, undertook a teaching qualification and qualified as both an Assessor and Internal Verifier. She joined the Embroiderers' Guild, was the Secretary of the Maidstone Branch for 5 years and went on to teach their first City & Guilds Embroidery and Design course. She was delighted to be asked to participate in the renovation and updating of the Guild teaching portfolios to inspire and teach future generations.

Angela has produced work for the Millennium Embroidery housed at Maidstone Museum and has held exhibitions and shown her work in Kent libraries. She says: 'I feel privileged to be able to share my skills with my students and was very proud last year to be awarded a Grade 1 for my teaching with Kent Adult Education'.

Her classes are truly enjoyable, delivered with a healthy dose of humour and she is often told by her students that the lessons go far too quickly! She maintains an open, relaxed atmosphere in her classroom where no question is too silly to ask, and all ideas are welcome. She also tailors all her classes to match her learners' interests and abilities. Angela says: "Knowing that you are part of students' journeys of creative discovery is hugely satisfying but also seeing how they grow in confidence is equally rewarding. I enjoy seeing students form new and lasting friendships as a result of attending classes".