Peter Capaldi formed a punk band called The Dreamboys with future American chat show host Craig Ferguson while he was studying at Glasgow School of Art. He got his big break in legendary Scottish film Local Hero and since then has starred in over 40 movies and televsion programmes, including as spin doctor Malcolm Tucker in The Thick of It and the titular lead role in Doctor Who.Peter Capaldi formed a punk band called The Dreamboys with future American chat show host Craig Ferguson while he was studying at Glasgow School of Art. He got his big break in legendary Scottish film Local Hero and since then has starred in over 40 movies and televsion programmes, including as spin doctor Malcolm Tucker in The Thick of It and the titular lead role in Doctor Who.
Peter Capaldi formed a punk band called The Dreamboys with future American chat show host Craig Ferguson while he was studying at Glasgow School of Art. He got his big break in legendary Scottish film Local Hero and since then has starred in over 40 movies and televsion programmes, including as spin doctor Malcolm Tucker in The Thick of It and the titular lead role in Doctor Who.

21 creative famous faces who studied at Glasgow School of Art including Robbie Coltrane and Sharleen Spiteri

Paul Trainer
By Paul Trainer

Editor

Published 2nd Aug 2024, 13:31 BST
Updated 5th Oct 2024, 21:34 BST

GSA has attracted many of Glasgow’s most creative people. Here are some famous faces who studied at Glasgow School of Art.

Since 1845, The Glasgow School of Art has been internationally recognised as one of Europe's top university-level institutions in the visual creative disciplines. It’s studios have been the starting point for careers in art, design and architecture as well as inspiring writers and musicians.

While the Mackintosh Building restoration has stalled, the place the School of Art hold in Glasgow culture and city life is undiminished.

Here are some of the famous faces who studied at Glasgow School of Art and went on to eclectic and exciting creative careers.

Here are some of the famous faces who studied at Glasgow School of Art and went on to eclectic and exciting creative careers.

Better known by his pen name Frank Quitely, Vincent Deighan studied fine art, drawing and painting at Glasgow School of Art, but left before he graduated. It hasn't done his career much harm though. Since then he has become a very successful comic book artist, collaborating with the likes of Grant Morrison and Mark Millar on series such as New X-Men, All-Star Superman, Batman and Robin, and Jupiter's Legacy.

9. Frank Quitely

Better known by his pen name Frank Quitely, Vincent Deighan studied fine art, drawing and painting at Glasgow School of Art, but left before he graduated. It hasn't done his career much harm though. Since then he has become a very successful comic book artist, collaborating with the likes of Grant Morrison and Mark Millar on series such as New X-Men, All-Star Superman, Batman and Robin, and Jupiter's Legacy. Photo: Contributed

Before his tragic death in 2018, Scott Hutchison had become one of Scotland's most well-respected singers and songwriters with his band Frightened Rabbit. He formed the band in 2013, shortly after graduating from Glasgow School of Art with a degree in illustration.

10. Scott Hutchison

Before his tragic death in 2018, Scott Hutchison had become one of Scotland's most well-respected singers and songwriters with his band Frightened Rabbit. He formed the band in 2013, shortly after graduating from Glasgow School of Art with a degree in illustration. Photo: Mark Metcalfe

Since graduating from Glasgow School of Art, Harry Benson has enjoyed over five decades of success in the world of photography. He covered The Beatles on their first tour of the UK and has photographed every US President Dwight D. Eisenhower. His photographs, ranging from war zones to celebrity shots of the likes of Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor, have appeared in art galleries, newspaper and magazines including Life, Vanity Fair, People, and The New Yorker.

11. Harry Benson

Since graduating from Glasgow School of Art, Harry Benson has enjoyed over five decades of success in the world of photography. He covered The Beatles on their first tour of the UK and has photographed every US President Dwight D. Eisenhower. His photographs, ranging from war zones to celebrity shots of the likes of Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor, have appeared in art galleries, newspaper and magazines including Life, Vanity Fair, People, and The New Yorker. Photo: Contributed

As lead singer and guitarist in multi-platinum rock band Texas, Sharleen Spiteri has sold over 40 million records and played packed concerts around the world. It's a far cry from her time at Glasgow School of Art, where she's spoken about working as a hairdresser at the weekend so she could afford brushes and paints.

12. Sharleen Spiteri

As lead singer and guitarist in multi-platinum rock band Texas, Sharleen Spiteri has sold over 40 million records and played packed concerts around the world. It's a far cry from her time at Glasgow School of Art, where she's spoken about working as a hairdresser at the weekend so she could afford brushes and paints. Photo: Suhaimi Abdullah

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