February 17, 2026Art Path 2026: Opening Doors for Future Creatives
On Tuesday 3 February 2026, 45 A-Level Art and Design students from 7 schools across London came together for Art Path – Artichoke’s free programme designed to offer a day of exploration, inspiration and real-world insight into creative careers.
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Designed for Year 10–13 students, who are passionate about art and curious about creative careers, Art Path consisted of:
- Art-based workshops led by professional artists with diverse practices
- A visit to Whitechapel Gallery to explore their latest exhibition, Joy Gregory: Catching Flies with Honey
- The opportunity to talk directly with creatives about their career journeys, challenges and successes
Why Programmes Like Art Path Matter
The creative industries are vast and vibrant – from visual arts and design to galleries, public art programmes and cultural production. Yet for many students, the world beyond classroom assignments can feel unclear or inaccessible. At the same time, young people are growing up in the shadow of the cost-of-living crisis, increasingly conscious of financial instability and the pressure to choose “secure” career paths. When the arts are sidelined in favour of core academic subjects, it can signal that these routes are less viable or less important. Studies and conversations with young people consistently show that career advice rarely covers creative paths in depth, leaving many unsure of how to bridge interest into opportunity. Art Path tackled this head-on by giving students first-hand visibility into diverse creative careers, showing that creativity and sustainability do not have to be mutually exclusive.
A Deep Dive Into the Workshops
Artists Aya Haidar, Annie Frost-Nicholson and Sean Rodrigo, each led workshops that explored their own art paths and areas of interest, inviting students to experiment with ideas and materials.
“I loved being able to talk to established artists"
Aya Haidar began her workshop by sharing examples of her work, emphasising how her own experiences and those of her family have shaped her practice. She invited participants to reflect on an image or word that resonated with them, whether a statement or a response to a feeling or emotion. Using small felt squares and scrap fabric, participants created wearable badges, stitching their chosen text and designs with embroidery thread to produce artworks that were both unique and personal.
“Hearing Aya Haidar’s story and seeing her art was incredible and inspiring"
During Annie Frost-Nicholson’s workshop, students were led through Joy Gregory’s exhibition, which examined themes of identity, history, race, and beauty. As they engaged with the artworks, she asked them to complete a prompt sheet to help shape their responses, then invited them to reflect on what defines them as individuals. The session concluded with students drawing and painting objects that symbolised different aspects of their own identity.
Sean Rodrigo’s workshop gave students the opportunity to explore Tilt Brush, a virtual reality platform that allows users to create in a 3D space using a range of paint colours, brushes, and creative tools. Students took turns working in the virtual environment, guided by Sean, who demonstrated how to use the technology while encouraging complete creative freedom. By the end of the session, participants had produced a range of unique works, including plants, flowers, and even fashion design.
“Try and work towards something that will actually make you happy. There’s only so much money that can do that – once you’ve reached a certain level [of financial security], everything else is just icing on the cake”
Growing Confidence and Creativity
For young artists navigating GCSE, A-Levels and choices about further study or work, confidence and clarity can make all the difference. Events like Art Path equip students with valuable skills to strengthen future applications and portfolios, while introducing them to creative pathways they may not have previously considered. Just as importantly, they create space for connection – bringing young people together with peers and mentors in ways that build confidence, clarity and a lasting sense of creative community.
Looking Ahead
With all 45 places filled for this pilot programme, there is clearly an appetite for accessible, high-quality opportunities that nurture creative potential. At a time when financial pressures can limit extracurricular access, the demand for free programmes like these highlights just how eager schools and young people are to engage deeply with creativity, to help develop their visual voice and to explore where it might lead.
Art Path has sparked conversations, ideas and ambitions, and we can’t wait to see what these young creatives go on to achieve!
Thank you to Whitechapel Gallery for their in-kind support for Art Path.
Artist Bios
Aya Haidar is a textile artist whose practice considers the limitations of visual language within fine art. Her work focuses on textiles and recycling found and disposable objects to create poetic pieces that explore labour, displacement, domesticity, womanhood, and memory.
Annie Frost Nicholson is an interdisciplinary artist exploring the uncomfortable and tragicomic aspects of the human condition. Her public realm work intersects with her painting practice, which has evolved into large-scale wall hangings with textile narratives and community engagement.
Sean Rodrigo is a technology consultant, immersive artist, and educator working across virtual reality, digital design, and innovation. His work focuses on using emerging technology to explore new ways to create art, problem-solve and for use in storytelling.
If you missed out this time, keep an eye out for future opportunities. Stay connected by subscribing to our monthly e-newsletter, The Artichoke Globe.
If you would like to support Artichoke’s work in providing free art/education experiences, donate here.