3rd June 2025

South Devon College is in the business of encouraging people to follow their dreams and to explore the talents they have carved out during their studies. 

Allan Poxton has done just that – he has built on a successful creative sculpture career, working out of his home studio as well as the Cob Barn in Cockington. His skills were developed further during an adult evening course at the College, in the pursuit of progression and perfection, helping him achieve ‘Artist in Residence’ at Cockington Court in Torquay. 

“I left school at 16 and initially trained in all aspects of engineering skills, including welding and fabrication, machining and bench fitting. Initially I worked in the company workshops then moved on to the drawing office,” he said. 

“Following that job, I worked on the restoration of a steam locomotive, which gave me the opportunity to improve my welding and fabrication skills.”  

Fascinated by sculpture, Allan began by bending and shaping wire into simple pieces, with the intention of building on the structures using clay or plaster but instead found a love of working directly with steel – initially using steel rods before moving onto steel bar. 

“From these simple pieces, I felt I could extend and, by using my engineering training skills from over 40 years ago, I set myself up with a gas welding set and an electric welding set,” he said. 

To hone his craft, Allan enrolled on the City and Guilds Level 1 Mig Welding evening course: “I attended South Devon College to add to my skillset and enable me to update my equipment to a more modern machine.   

“The course has enabled me to work more efficiently and produce better finishes to my larger pieces.” 

Allan creates 3D pieces from steel, often depicting figures, horses or birds, and has contributed to the Cockington Court annual outdoor sculpture trail since 2018, culminating in the Artist in Residence accolade. 

“During discussions with Director Marissa Wakefield regarding a full-size horse sculpture I was planning, the Cob Barn at Cockington Court was offered to me as a large space and the Artist in Residence offer followed.” 

Allan also works from his home studio, created during lockdown, and attributes his new competencies acquired at College as a driving force in his success. 

“These new skills have given me more scope to create larger pieces for outdoor settings with structural integrity and durability. 

“Andy Shimmin, my lecturer, was able to recognise my previous abilities and quickly push the required competencies for the course to improve my results. He also spent some time with me in the initial stages of the horse build at Cockington Court.” 

Allan has since forged working collaborations with South Devon College students, with photography students depicting his work as part of their portfolios. 

“I see my future as creative and will continue to work with steel as my preferred medium, creating unique pieces.” 

Andy Shimmin, Lecturer in Welding at South Devon College, said: “Allan, an adult learner, had previously gained a variety of hand and fabrication skills and he joined an evening welding course to further enhance that skillset with the intention of improving his ability to create.  

“With a passion for creativity, Allan gained the required knowledge and skills throughout the course, enabling him to transform raw metal into breathtaking artwork.  

“Allan’s journey is a testament of how dedication and learning, combined with determination, demonstrates how we can turn a passion into extraordinary art.”