'Every time you make a brush stroke, you paint a bit of yourself on the canvas'

* The freedom to express creative thinking into constructive concepts that materialize is the ethos of the academy.

 An Artist needs the right atmosphere, an inspirational space to think and work with self-confidence, and an abundance of encouragement.  AFA provides a creative space where a  learner becomes a professional Artist with a dynamic set of skills and perspectives.  This concept is new to Sri Lanka, due to main stream education being encouraged and development of aesthetic education being considered a poor choice and also a last resort rather than the realization of a lifelong dream.  Parents are worried when learners select a field that their elders know nothing about, and also forget that our learners are more capable and talented than we imagine.  This has created a large vacuum in the corporate world for professional creatives with a set of fine tuned skills. Recognising this desperate need in industries, with an army of extremely talented students, AFA has risen to the challenge of filling this niche and providing highly employable professionals.

For the first time in Sri Lanka, a Higher National Diploma (UK) and Bachelor of Arts (UK) in Art and Design is available from an Edexcel BTEC approved centre: The Academy of Fine Arts.  In this course learners will develop visual awareness, personal style, professional practice, knowledge of art history with an emphasis on expertise relevant in today's world, and work-based experience.  AFA's academic staff are overseas qualified professionals with a high aptitude in their chosen field.  In addition to the guidance provided by AFA lecturers, throughout the course the learners will work closely with proficient specialists in the industry gaining valuable work experience and building a professional network which in turn opens up opportunities in employment.

The AFA HND enables one to become aware of one's artistic potential, directing one to be a useful resource personnel in the academic and business field that demands artistic balance and capacity to innovate. This course will develop specialists as well as multi-disciplinary skilled personnel into a more independent, studio practitioner.

‘’If you want to make any Art, be fearless and make mistakes, make dangerous mistakes, live on the edge, take that risk, make Art, make good Art’’

Ms Shyamala Pinto Jayawardena, the Founder of the Academy of Fine Arts speaks about her learners and the academy with passion and conviction, "Art and design practice keeps you eternally content and oozing creativity.  The Academy of Fine Arts is a marvelous opportunity to the very talented artist to explore a path that will expand your mind, create a dynamic and capable artist who can do any and everything in the creative scope of visual arts while becoming a highly employable corporate artist.  Bring out your personal identity.   Be an artist who’s creativity can give the industry innovative solutions that are unique to the identity of the Artist".

Make a choice to enjoy your career, push boundaries, raise standards, innovate, and lead.  Be a pioneer.  ’Make art, make good Art’’

Who can I become at the end of an HND and BA in Art and Design?

Listed are a few of many professions the learner can transition into with ongoing apprenticing that is part of the study course:  Installation artist and designer, interior and landscape artist and designer, industrial and marketing designer, event and graphic designer, textile and apparel designer, fine arts photo print maker ,print media designer , digital design in fine arts, game designer, creative director, set designer and costume art, interior artist and designer, fine art practitioner, academic lecturer and teacher, multimedia and communication design, product and packaging designer, and production designer.

For more information The Academy of Fine Arts can be contacted on administrator@afa.lk and 2582544, or visit www.afa.lk