Flowing with the Sea: Lucy’s Creative Journey on the City Lit Foundation Diploma

For Lucy Holman, returning to education wasn’t about starting over — it was about finally giving herself permission to explore a long-held creative ambition. Now, as she prepares to exhibit her final piece in PROTO, the City Lit Foundation Diploma in Art & Design show in Brixton, she reflects on a transformative year of learning, making, and growing as an artist.

“I always wished I had undertaken an Art Foundation but convinced myself that I had left it too late,” Lucy admits. With a background in the arts and heritage sector and a degree in Art History, she had long nurtured a creative spark through short courses in print and drawing. It was City Lit’s Portfolio Preparation course that gave her the confidence to apply for the Foundation Diploma, and she hasn’t looked back since.

Lucy is one of 32 students exhibiting at PROTO, the final show for City Lit’s Foundation Diploma students, taking place at The Department Store in Brixton. “The show is going to showcase the extraordinary talent of our foundation year group,” she says. “It will document the knowledge gained through this year of study and display the group’s confidence in experimentation. I hope the pieces inspire curiosity and connect viewers with their own creativity.”

Her final piece, Flowing with the Sea, is a kinetic mobile that combines ceramics and print—two disciplines she has explored deeply during the course. Inspired by her connection to the southeast coast of England, Lucy’s work draws on research from Suffolk and Hastings, incorporating textures and patterns that reflect the sea’s transformative power.

“I was particularly drawn to the imprints the receding tide left in the sand at Hastings,” she explains. “I saw these lines as a physical manifestation of the sea’s ability to change and shape the things that encounter it.” The result is a sculptural piece that invites viewers to engage with movement, colour, and shadow—and to reflect on their own relationship with nature.

Throughout the year, Lucy embraced new techniques like paper clay and monoprinting with watercolours, learning to troubleshoot and adapt when things didn’t go to plan. “This term has taught me a great deal about building a self-motivated project,” she says. “It’s connected me to my processes as an artist and maker.”

“The Foundation course has greatly helped me to grow in confidence within myself and my creativity,” Lucy reflects. “It’s been a wonderfully supportive environment that has both challenged and encouraged. The tutors are a great source of knowledge and support.”

One standout moment for Lucy was exhibiting her work for the first time during a group show at City Lit. “It was such a proud moment to see others engaging with my work and to invite friends and family to see what I had been making. I can’t wait to do the same for the Brixton exhibition!”

After completing the Foundation Diploma, Lucy plans to continue her creative journey by enrolling in City Lit’s Advanced Printmaking: Practice and Discourse course and joining an open-access ceramics studio.

Lucy’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to pursue your creative ambitions. The UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design at City Lit offers a supportive, hands-on environment where students of all ages and backgrounds can explore, experiment, and grow. Whether you're preparing for art school, building a portfolio, or simply reconnecting with your creativity, this course is your gateway to a future in the arts.

Study UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design

City Lit’s UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design is a hands-on, year-long course that builds your creative skills and portfolio, preparing you for art school, university, or a career in the creative industries.