Last week, students from across Kent came together to take part in the Creative Careers Café run by ArtWorks in collaboration with the Maison Dieu.
The Creative Careers Café was an exciting event which aimed to help students learn more about their career options in and around Dover. Throughout the day there were various art-based, practical workshops learners took part in with a plethora of professionals.
The interactive sessions took place in the Art and Design classrooms as well as at the historic, and newly refurbished, Maison Dieu building, and explored an array of different art forms, from stained glass making to stage and costume design.
The event began with a talk by Martin Crowther, Engagement Officer at the Maison Dieu. He welcomed the students to the building and outlined how the day would run.
Our Art and Design students enthusiastically took the lead during their first session with Emma and Frazer, the founders of Dover Pride. The students were encouraged to design an outfit for a drag artist, using a collection of different materials to add sparkle and flair to their blueprints.
We asked our Level 3 Art and Design student, Braden, about his fabulous work. He explained: “I came up with a feathery costume idea, with a large feather coming out of the chest and a skirt decorated with jewellery.
“I usually focus more on drawing and sketching, so while I felt comfortable with that part, the costume design element was something different. I really enjoyed the process. It was fun trying something new and experimenting with different ideas.”
Braden went on to explain how he would like to be a tattoo artist in the future and was really looking forward to working with Tim during the tattooing workshop.
When asked about why she thinks encouraging young people to take part in days like this. Emma commented: “To be successful, you’ve got to be brave; you’ve got to be bold. It’s all about persistence and dedication.
“Even if you aren’t considering a creative career, there are many transferable skills for any job, sometimes we have to mask ourselves in order to get the job done – performing is something everyone does”
During the day, our Plumbing and Electrical students had the opportunity to tour the Maison Dieu building and ask questions about the recent refurbishments, gaining insight into the vital roles electricians and plumbers play in restoration projects. Meanwhile, our Education and Early Years and ESOL students took part in a range of experimental activities.
We caught up with Early Years student, Alya-Jayne see what she had enjoyed about the day. She told us: “This had been very different to my usual day at College, which has been fun. I have loved creating a pretty marble pattern during this workshop, it is impressive how the little paint droplets create such a colourful design. I could imagine myself in a creative job in the future!”
The aim of the day was to encourage young people to believe that a career in the arts is not only possible, but achievable. It challenged students to broaden their horizons and step outside their comfort zones to discover what can happen when they follow their imaginations.
Creative Careers Café 2026
If you are interested in a creative career, EKC Dover College is a fantastic place to start your journey. Explore our Creative and Design courses or visit us at our next Open Day.