In 2008 I joined Islington mill’s academy IMAA is a independent alternative art school and one that I was a major part of for three and a half years, based in Islington mill Salford (Manchester). A former cotton spinning mill that holds 50 artist studios, gallery, club space and Bed and breakfast. The academy were based on the fifth floor which Is the only floor that remains in keeping with how the mill previously looked we then continued to move and utilise different spaces around the building.

I consider the time I spent at IMMA to be where my initial art education took place. I feel very fortunate that I was part of an alternative art education and I believe this positive DIY attitude has remained with me in my arts practice.

Our learning was a self organised education and one that attracted artists, tutors, curators and any other organisations or practitioners who were interested in a alternative systems or frustrated by the current one. Due to this I believe the 3 and half years I spent at the school were unique and invaluable to my learning as an artist.

During this time we initiated many projects around the local community but also were invited to take part in projects further a field such as a summer residency in Berlin, Free art school, A group show at Glasgow’s Transmission gallery that focused on self organisation, discourse and collaboration entitled MOOT.POINTS and a postal drawing class with Chloe Briggs of Parsons school of art, Paris.