Plymouth College of Art appoints new principal

Plymouth Art College has announced the appointment of its new principal, Professor Andrew Brewerton.

Current principal Lynne Staley-Brookes will hand over the reins when she retires this summer and the new principal will take up the position on August 1.

Formerly head of glass and Dean of Art & Design at Wolverhampton University, he worked for 10 years in glass crystal manufacturing and design, having run the Glasshouse at Stuart Crystal.

Also head of design and development at Dartington Crystal, he was responsible for the Frankfurt Fair award-winning Dartington Limited Editions collection in 1991, now a permanent collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

Having lectured widely in the UK, his critical writing on artists has been published in several languages around the globe.

Departing principal Lynne Staley-Brookes will have spent 37 years working in full-time in education and nearly nine years at the college said: “It is very easy for me to state that the most rewarding and enjoyable period of employment has been here in Plymouth, and leading this distinctive Art College.

“The college has changed and developed since I took up my post in July 2001 – but its ethos and culture as an Art College has stood it in good stead for the past 154 years.

“Where numerous art colleges throughout the country have lost their specialist identity by merging with other educational establishments, Plymouth College of Art is an independent institution and is flourishing.”

Accepting the post, Andrew Brewerton, the Honorary Professor of Fine art at Shanghai University, said: “It is an enormous privilege to be joining so lively and so inclusive a creative arts community at Plymouth College of Art. The college plays a highly distinctive role in the creative economy both within and beyond the city and, with Lynne Staley-Brookes’ energy, direction and commitment, Plymouth College of Art has become a dynamic and dependable partner for creative entrepreneurship. Lynne’s is a rich legacy, which we will be working hard to extend.”