Kids learn new skills at UWI Arts and Crafts Camp

Students who were enrolled in the two week UWI Open Campus Summer Arts and Crafts Camp, had a vibrant end to the activities as the programme wrapped up on Friday, August 13, 2010.{{more}}

The programme, into its second year, taught children from ages 11 to 13 how to make local art. Some of the activities included egg shell mosaics, steel pan, local jewelry, tie dye, wire sculpting as well as pan and dance.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Ronnie Daniel of the UWI Open Campus said that the idea of the programme came about as the Campus was looking for ways to connect in a more intimate way with the community.

“I’m sure from the comments we’ve had and the excitement over the past couple days, that the children have all enjoyed their time here,” Daniel stated.

Head of the UWI Open Campus, Dr. Adrian Fraser, delivering brief remarks said the Campus decided to continue the programme after the excellent feedback received from the one held last year.

“One of the things we wanted to do with this summer programme is to expose the students to arts and crafts. We believe that holistic development and education are important, apart from what they (children) actually learn in school we believe this exposure to arts and crafts will be very important,” Fraser said.

Describing the group as a vibrant one, Fraser said all the students seem generally excited and interested in the sessions and some students have expressed interest in the arts and crafts as careers.

Fraser added that a few students from last year’s programme had begun a mini business selling arts and craft. “Hopefully some of those who are here today might have the ideas to start their own businesses,” Fraser said.

The students had the opportunity to showcase their art and craft during an exhibition held after the closing ceremony.

The facilitators for the programme were dance instructor Amanda Quow, Pan instructor Patrick Baptiste, local jewelry art instructor Roland ‘Scrapie’ Dopwell and fabric painting instructor Collete Jones-Chin.

The theme for this year’s camp was “Enjoying our present, Enriching our future”.