The 2014 art program was a success. All the months of planning and fund raising paid off in a big way.
On July 14, 20 excited teaches from around the island participated in the 1 week annual Teachers Workshop which was facilitated by the "visiting artist", Sherika Sayers. She instructed the teachers in basic sculpting techniques using air dried clay and paper clay. For many teachers this was valuable information. It was the first time they were receiving instructions in how to go about teaching children to sculpt. Paper mache techniques were taught, along with several sewing stitches. Time was dedicated for discussions about how to go about teaching to the children. Then all too soon it was time for the teachers to work with the children in their location.
From July 21 to August 8th all 4 locations were busy with excited, happy children.137 children participated in the 3 week program. They came from Kingstown, Barrouallie, Georgetown, and Spring Village.
A field trip to the Montreal Gardens was organized during the first week. The field trip was a huge "hit".
Many children and teachers had not visited the garden.There was excitement, laughter and sheer glee about visiting this beautiful garden on the side of a hill in the middle of the island. 4 Buses had to be rented for this trip. Visiting the Montreal Gardens was an important step in getting the children prepared for the program. It offered the them a chance to get inspired and gather ideas for future art projects and poetry writing. At the beginning of the trip they were instructed to take note of the various shapes, and colours.
During the following weeks the children had the opportunity to create sculptures using air dried clay and paper clay. They created objects which took the form of mini gardening containers, animals, insects, leaves of various shapes and sizes. Each location created a large fantasy, garden creatures using paper mache techniques. They also made handmade paper from recycled paper, did some poetry writing, made "happy" flags incorporating some embroidery and learnt the Bob Marley song "Lively Up Yourself"
The program ended with a public display of the children's work and a recitation of the poems they had written, at the Botanical Gardens in front of the curator's house.
Many parents attended the showcase to listen to their children's poems. A visiting family whose son participated in the program, lamented the fact there was not a children's art program on the island where they lived.
I am proud and happy the 2014 art program was a success.
Donors, thank you once again for supporting our program! With your continued support we will continue our commitment to providing an art education to primary school children in St. Vincent.
