Dundee's art college to mark 125th anniversary with former student stories

Dundee's art college is planning to contact the thousands of former graduates and staff that have passed through its doors as it looks to celebrate its 125th anniversary.

The Dundee Technical Institute was created in 1888.

It went through various guises before becoming the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in 1974 and then merging with Dundee University 20 years later.

The college wants to hear what impact it had on its alumni.

The list of former students, at what is now known as the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (DJCAD), contains some high profile names.

Turner Prize winner Susan Philipsz, and nominees David Mach, Louise Wilson and Luke Fowler, designers David Salariya and Russ Nicholson, film directors David Mackenzie and Clio Barnard, and photographer Albert Watson are among those who have studied at the Perth Road institution.

The management team at the college are planning to mark the anniversary with a commemorative book, exhibition and other events scheduled for later in the year.

In preparation for this, they hope to contact as many members of the Dundee art scene, past and present, as possible.

Prof Tom Inns, Dean of DJCAD, said: "We want to hear from everyone for whom Duncan of Jordanstone has played a major role in their lives."

"This is a place where careers have been launched, where inspiration could be found in every corner."

However, he said they were keen to hear personal stories about the college.

"It's a place where people fell in love, where hearts were broken, and friendships formed. We want to hear about all kinds of memories - practice, professional and personal.

"People and community are at the very heart of art and design and we want to tell the very human story of this wonderful college as well as the bricks-and-mortar tale.

"Our graduates and other members of the DJCAD community have gone on to do many wonderful things around the world and we want them to tell us all about it."