Ed Catley

The Art of the Possible

“Studying at University of Staffordshire is a transformational process - it will definitely take you places,” says Ed Catley.

As the Course Leader for the UAL Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at Shrewsbury College, Ed lives at the intersection of creation and education. A visual artist, educator, and curator, he views these roles not as separate jobs, but as a single, intertwined existence. Through his "Printing in..." exhibition series and his internationally acclaimed "post-abstract" portraits, Ed has brought modern, intellectual rigor to the traditional world of printmaking.

“I believe all art teachers should be involved in research and practice, and all artists should be involved in academia,” he explains. “Basically, art should involve intellectual activity.”

Designing a Career

Ed didn’t just want to make art; he wanted to understand how to make art happen. While he was already established as a practitioner, he chose the MA Design Management at the Stoke campus to sharpen his professional edge.

The turning point came during a unit focused on exhibition planning. It was here that Ed moved beyond the canvas to master the "business" of the arts - learning to deliver complex projects on time and within budget.

“I use the planning devices I was taught at Staffs all the time,” Ed recalls. “Learning to focus on objectives and deliverables resulted in a much more accomplished way of working in the studio, the gallery, and the museum. It gave me the lens of design management and enterprise.”

A Global Canvas

Ed’s "big break" into the academic world came through a collaboration with his mentor, Dr. David Hands. Together, they co-authored a paper on Eco-Design for the 2008 Cultural Olympiad, published by Cumulus. This early success gave Ed the "match fitness" and credibility needed to navigate the international art scene.

Since graduating in 2011, Ed has embraced a "say YES" philosophy. This confidence has seen his work travel from America and Europe to the Middle East and the Far East. His portraits and prints are now housed in prestigious permanent collections, including the British Library, the Fitzwilliam Museum, and the United Kingdom’s National Art Collection.

“To be successful in the art world, you have to live it,” he says. “It can seem like a mission to Mars - but you still have to try. Never look back, never give up.”

The "Printing in..." Legacy

Today, Ed is the driving force behind the 'Printing in...' Projects - a series of exhibitions including 'Printing in Swiss' and 'Printing in Dutch' that have been received by tens of thousands of visitors. Whether he is curating international shows or teaching the next generation of artists at Shrewsbury College, the foundation laid at Staffs remains his blueprint for success.

With a career that spans continents and prestigious journals like Printmaking Today, Ed continues to strive for "something more," proving that with the right management skills, an artist's vision knows no bounds.

What is your advice to anyone looking to join Staffs or who is already here?

“Be excited about your own work! If you’re not enthused by what you’re working on, no one else will be. Stay positive, be optimistic, and take care of business.”

Course studied

MA Design Management