Teaching
I have been teaching sculpture for over three decades to school groups, college students and adults. I encourage students to develop their own visual language by introducing them to a variety of techniques and materials. I find it tremendously rewarding to share the students’ experience of self-expression through the creative process.
Gallery Teaching
Teaching complements my practice. It is through teaching and talking about art that I continue to learn, it has changed my perceptions and seeing art from other perspectives is both thrilling and revealing. I love being with people and art in a gallery space.
I have worked on educational programmes with many established institutions, such as London’s National Gallery, Dulwich Picture Gallery, the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea and Oriel Myrddin in Carmarthen.
My work at the National Gallery as a gallery artist and lecturer has encompassed gallery tours, talks, lectures and running workshops to diverse audiences, for young people, schools, hospital schools, and I run projects for communities on outreach programmes which have included Ageing Creatively, Alzheimer Cafes, looked after children and young offenders.
I give private lecture tours at the National Gallery and sculpture walking tours in various venues; and lectures for private and corporate organisations. I run sculpture evening classes and summer schools.
Previously I held the post of Education Officer at Oriel Myrddin Gallery, Carmarthen (2006-2008). I designed and ran workshops for a range of audiences and organised and delivered a lecture programme that complemented the gallery exhibition programme. This featured both contemporary and historical exhibitions in Fine Art and Design.
I have lectured at the following universities and colleges: Coleg Sir Gar, Carmarthen (2007-9), Keele University (1995-2007), Bedford College (1993-1995), Staffordshire College (1997-2004), I have visited many art colleges, including Bath College of Art, Wimbledon School of Art, Norwich and Canterbury School of Art.
I am currently the External Examiner for Fine Art at Chester University.
“On the 3rd of April 2016, I went to an event called 'figuring form' which took place in the National Art Gallery in London. The instructor was a was a professional artist who specialises in sculptures. Her name is Sarah Tombs. She introduced herself and her helpers in a room. Then, Sarah took us to a painting where Phineus and Perseus (Roman soldiers) were fighting. She explained the story behind it with a loud and clear voice. Even the young children understood this. This picture was made by an Italian artist called Luca Giordano. She made the children laugh and enjoy learning about it. She asked the children questions which got them engaged. I found this good, as the people gave their opinions about the painting. Medusa was a lady with snakes for hair, and if you looked at her in the eye, you would be turned to stone. The helpers gave out the paper and pens quickly. Then they drew a picture of Phineus. The children all had different interpretations and the instructor helped them. They had a smile on their faces meaning that they were enjoying. I found this good, as the teacher had kept them engaged. After doing this they shaped some plasticine in to Medusa's head. I found this amusing as they all had different ways to do this. They moulded it with care and had fun playing around with it. All the children were coming up with creative ideas.
After creating a 3d model of Medusa, we went to the Modelling Studio and made Phineus' body structure with wire. Sarah explained the safety rules clearly and showed examples of how to do it. I found her voice loud and clear so I could hear it carefully. When bending the wires, parents helped other people to be safe and get the structure . There was only one modrock station, meaning that it was a bit cramped. The event entertained all the children. She kept everyone engaged in the time.
Sarah Tombs, the instructor, is a sculpture artist based in UK who makes sculptures in parks, town and other places. The helpers and Sarah were really patient as well as skilled. When people did not want to take part, she encouraged them to carry on. She explained with a loud and clear voice, and also was helping everyone. I'm sure all the children enjoyed her. I enjoyed watching her!”
Excerpt from The Voice 25 July 2016, written by Aishani Sinha
Continuing Adult Education
I taught history of sculpture at the department of Adult Continuing Education at Swansea University. For many years I taught on the Continuing Adult Education programme at Keele university and several of my students went on to pursue sculpture at Higher Education establishments.
I have an in-depth knowledge and thorough understanding of sculpture and fine art from my experience as a practising sculptor. I can describe and demonstrate creative processes and materials combined with bringing relevant contextual art history and theory into discussion. I am passionate about art, bringing artistic insights as well as offering perspectives from other art historians and writers into my teaching.
Testimonial from Glynis Davies
Sarah’s course were a great source of joy and inspiration!
I was a student of hers at Keele University attending short courses entitled An Introduction to Sculpture from 2001-4. A dozen of us, each with our individual projects were introduced to a variety of mediums: clay modelling and casting, metalwork and assembly and stone-carving. Mostly without formal art training we were nevertheless treated as if our potential was boundless!
Ever resourceful, her problem-solving skills were stretched to the utmost; Sarah can always suggest the way forward when you grind to a halt, or an improvement where something is going wrong.
On the academic side her illustrated lectures demonstrated a wide range of sculpture from classical and ethnic, through figurative to abstract work and contemporary installation: works familiar and obscure revealed with a fresh insight. Although we were shown examples of her own work, she never sought to influence us with her style or taste: our individuality was encouraged and our skills celebrated no less than those of her full-time students.
As a teacher, Sarah is approachable and enthusiastic with student groups of all ages, and never patronising.
Having gained greatly in confidence, I went on to submit pieces of mine for open exhibitions in Stafford and Stoke- on- Trent and had three pieces accepted. I also undertook a research project for the Public Monuments and Sculpture Association: opportunities that resulted from the courses at Keele – sadly missed!
