Students painting new picture in Arts and Craft

Seventeen young men and women are now well versed in local arts and craft as they have successfully completed the University of the West Indies Open Campus Summer art Programme 2009.{{more}}

The programme, held under the theme ‘Discovering Our Natural Creativity through Indigenous Craft’, came to an end on Friday, August 21, 2009, at the UWI Centre at Richmond Hill.

The programme began on August 10, 2009, and was centered on teaching the children local methods of creating art. The children were taught lessons on banana craft, fabric painting, calabash painting and story illustration. They also tried their hand at jewelry-making using local materials, creating metal craft and making refrigerator magnets. The art of macramé and playing steel pan were also taught.

Coordinator of the programme Camille Lakhram, speaking at the closing ceremony, said that it was important to have such a programme as today’s children are unaware of local arts and craft traditions. Lackhram added that the programme introduced children to local art in a fun environment. It was the first time that most of the students were exposed to such craft traditions; including playing steel pan, which some were introduced to the day before.

Dr. Adrian Fraser, also speaking at the ceremony, expressed how impressed he was with the children’s work. Referring to the nine day programme as a challenging one, Fraser added that the university seeks to do programmes which stimulate students’ interest and expose them to many more possibilities. Fraser also said that the University is going to make the programme an annual event.

During the closing ceremony of the programme, the children proudly displayed their collection of artwork. Vibrant coloured calabashes, stylish jewelry and perfected illustrations were on exhibit as parents and teachers of the children carefully assessed their work.

“He did an excellent job!” beamed Janel Deane, mother of T.J Deane, a 10-year-old participant of the programme. The timid T.J., who very much enjoyed his time in the programme, said he favored the calabash painting and the fabric painting the most.

“It was good meeting new people…doing new craft and having fun,” 12-year-old Amunique Cordice said. Cordice, an art student of the St. Joseph’s Convent Kingstown, intends to implement some of the skills learnt in the programme at school. Cordice’s mother Carmelita, who was proud of her daughter’s work, said that the programme was “a good venture put on by UWI” as it involved the children in interesting pastimes other than watching television or surfing the Internet. Carmelita’s 10-year-old son Kamali was also a participant in programme.

Other young participants all related good experiences about their participation in the programme, agreeing that their fellow participants’ work was excellent. “I think they did very well,” ten-year-old Heather Lakhram said.

All 17 students received certificates for their participation in the programme. The facilitators of the programme were Nzimbu Browne, Lynne Cevene, Rowland ‘Scrapie’ Dopwell and Patrick ‘Grey’ Baptiste. (OS)