The French offshoot of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) offers an unusual higher education curriculum in art and design in an unusual setting: the typical Provençal village of Lacoste. For 20 years now, the students, known as ‘bees’, have received teaching in 40 specialist areas of photography, design, fashion, advertising, architecture and film. SCAD Bees from all over the world work away under the watchful eye of Cédric Maros. His background is in cinema, but when he wanted to take a break from that, he came back to his native Provence for a three-month job at SCAD. “A few weeks as a replacement turned into a 12-year job,” he says. The college’s first French director, Cédric Maros is delighted at his graduates’ development and integration. “The economy has room for artists now,” he says. “We are proud that our students can live by their art and are in worldwide demand. When I arrived here, most students applied to do fine art, painting, sculpture or photography. Now, it’s all areas of design along with digital, film and animation. SCAD’s strong point is its adaptability.” The college, like a village within the village, is a hotbed of talent and also boasts courses for visitors. The students’ exhibitions, events and pop-up shops are all well worth visiting.
By Valérie Rouger
Côteweb 2021, création de site Internet sur Nice