Negative picture painted of Community College art room

by Janique-ka John 29.AUG.08

Students who have their minds set on taking Art and Design at A’level come September may be in for a disappointment if the “adverse conditions” of the Art room are not improved soon.{{more}}

Lecturer in Art at the College Vonnie Roudette confirmed that it is highly likely that she would not be able to admit any students into the Art programme this coming school year. “The major problem is lack of space,” she lamented. Roudette explained that the small art room at the college can only house a few students at a time as they need a certain amount of space to work. In addition to lack of space, the condition of the building is slowly deteriorating. This, one student admitted, can have a negative effect on their work. When we contacted him, Dean of the College, Kelvin Malcolm, declined to comment on the situation.

Despite this, graduates and current students sing praises of the Art Programme, saying that it is quite an experience, and has opened up avenues of creativity and ways of seeing things that they never thought possible. It has shown the graduates, and is showing the current students, what they are really capable of, they say.

On July 18th, graduates of the art programme, together with the Vermont Youth Group, fused environmentally friendly principles and creative energy into one and launched a “Permaculture Programme”, which they say is a manifestation of the power of Art, and Art students.

Permaculture involves observing nature’s patterns, and exercising independent thinking and acting accordingly to establish similar agricultural systems. “It’s a creative process,” Roudette said, “and a good example of how sustainable development hinges on creative thinking and cultural and creative education,” she emphasized.

Roudette, who has been teaching at the St.Vincent and the Grenadines Community College for the past seven years, pointed out that this project shows that Art can be collaborated with other subjects and areas of life.

The art teacher’s love for nature, which is reflected in her way of dress, has been an inspiration to her students, and likewise has been inspired by them.

She explained that her perpetual motivation to continue is her observation of the effect creative education has had on the lives of her students. She stated that she saw students build confidence and experience major paradigm shifts, seeing things in an entirely new light. “My main interest is promoting creativity of the youth,” she stressed.

A student, when asked about her personal experience in the programme, stated that the experience is a gratifying one and that she has seen development not only in terms of her artwork but as a student and a person. “Everyday you learn something new about yourself, your peers and your artwork.” The student went on to say that she can’t wait to see where Art takes her, as she has observed excellent results from graduates, and is aware of the fact that the programme often produces top grades from Cambridge.