Tanja Novacic, graduate of SETU’s Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Visual Art programme is originally from Zagreb, Croatia but now living in Waterford.
Tanja’s creativity was reignited having completed Fashion Design and sewing skills course at Waterford VTOS. “After becoming a mother and moving to Ireland in 2017, my creativity felt dormant, though it never disappeared. I was given the opportunity to study Fashion Design and Sewing Skills, where the art classes reignited my creativity and passion.”
She continued: “Art called me to create, and I immediately knew that I wanted to expand my skills, learn art history, and study in an inspiring environment, so I applied to study the Visual Arts course at SETU.”
Balancing motherhood with university
Tanja enjoyed the practical engagement from lecturers at SETU, which helped her balance life at home and in the classroom. She commented, “Throughout my studies, I was influenced and guided by lecturers who actively engage in artistic practice. As a mature student and parent, I found their teaching methods particularly meaningful and accessible, providing both encouragement and structure that supported my learning journey.”
Studying in English
As Tanja is originally from Croatia, using English for her studies provided another challenge to her. “As English is my second language, I faced periods where achieving my best academic performance required additional effort. However, I have always viewed challenges as opportunities for growth and motivation to work harder and improve. By creating clear priorities, maintaining daily task lists, I was able to overcome these difficulties,” Tanja explained.
Engagement with locality
Discussing the highlight of her studies, Tanja shared: “One of the highlights of my studies was when our group had the opportunity to move beyond the privacy of the studio and present our work in local galleries and art centre. This experience was invaluable, providing direct engagement with the public and constructive feedback that greatly informed my art.”
Success
Tanja made the most of her time at SETU, and achieved academic success: “I was proud to graduate my degree with first-class honours, and also to have received an award from the Waterford Municipal Gallery for my graduate work Habitats of the Unseen (2025). I was also featured in the Irish Arts Review as part of a new generation of emerging artists.”
Advice
On her advice for future students, Tanja said: “Pursue your dreams with confidence, as dedication and hard work always yield rewarding results.”
Dreams for the future
Tanja concluded by saying, “My hopes for the future begin with good health, followed by the ability to create and make. Every artist’s dream is to work with confidence, free from fear or financial struggles. I once heard the saying, 'Art doesn’t serve anything, but we could not live without it,' which I believe is true. Art transforms the way we see the world, facilitates expression, builds confidence through skill development, and serves as a form of therapy in countless ways.”
