For Yolanda Boag, discovering artistic talent at 36 changed her life trajectory. However, the emerging illustrator and jewellery maker says her studies at TAFE SA showed her how to turn it into a career

Photography by Ekaterina Shipova

“Although ambitious, I was a complete novice,” artist Yolanda Boag says, recounting her self-taught start and decision to enrol in a Certificate IV in Visual Arts at TAFE SA. “The course was a blank canvas. Regardless of your experience, TAFE welcomes you as an artist who wants to develop the skills needed to succeed in the creative industry.”

Delivered at TAFE SA’s Adelaide College of the Arts (AC Arts) campus
in Light Square, this course is where the multi-disciplinary artist first developed a well-rounded approach to creativity. The dual-focus curriculum balances hands-on subjects (think drawing, ceramics and printmaking) and academic classes (such as art history), while offering external opportunities to broaden creative interests. “Even though it had been 24 years since I’d engaged in formal education, I felt supported and had access to the tools AC Arts offered,” she says.

Nature, biology and animal behaviour thread through Yolanda’s cross-discipline practice, a focus inspired by famed author Beatrix Potter and her whimsical anthropomorphism. After completing her certificate, an offer to enrol in a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Arts) – delivered concurrently with TAFE SA and Flinders University – allowed her to explore this passion further.

“The degree is very much about developing your studio practice and finding your creative voice,” Yolanda says. “The lecturers support individual styles and encourage [you to explore] what inspires you.”

Yolanda is currently a jewellery major, with a secondary focus on illustration and ceramics. The three-year degree is taught across the Flinders University and TAFE SA’s AC Arts campuses. Subjects Yolanda says have been indispensable include website development (for professional, online portfolios), Indigenous studies and Greek mythology. These Humanities classes brought a new perspective to her hands-on craft. In third year, she’ll study solely at AC Arts, focusing on studio work and research.

Yolanda describes AC Arts as a “hive of activity”. “It’s an amazing place. The building’s inner-city location and open- plan architecture bathes the studios in natural sunlight, and it has an on-site public gallery.” Right now, Light Square Gallery is showcasing her installation ‘I-Circadian’. “This allows us to take our work into the real world. To have an idea, produce it and see others respond to it is what it’s all about.”

Classrooms also have the tools needed to strengthen skills across all creative disciplines, including a hands-on bench in the jewellery studio, so students can apply metalsmith processes. This environment is only elevated with industry-practising lecturers. “They take the time to discuss our goals one-on- one, offering their expertise to help you extend your concept to produce jewellery at a professional standard,” Yolanda says. “Beyond learning, I feel like I’m part of a support network of people interested in each other’s art and encourage success in our collective creative futures.”

TAFE SA has a pathway for all experience levels, including short courses in wheel throwing and jewellery making, a Diploma of Visual Arts and Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Arts), offered in partnership with Flinders University.

Applications are now open for 2025. Find out more at tafesa.edu.au/visualarts