S.J.C. tops high school art competition
There is no doubt that a cadre of talented and energetic painters and sculptors has taken Belizean art to a new level. The challenge, however, is to expand the creative renaissance to the masses. This morning at the Belize City House of Culture, a credible start was made in that effort. Patrick Jones reports.
Patrick Jones, Reporting
The first annual nationwide art competition had the participation of high school students from the Belize and Corozal districts. Over a hundred paintings and drawings were submitted, but only ten of the young artists won prizes. President of the National Institute of Culture and History Yasser Musa says the exercise is part of a larger plan.
Yasser Musa, President, NICH
“Next year when we have this same exhibit we are going to expand it in terms of trying to attract more people from a national level. Obviously we have a lot of hurdles to overcome in terms of trying to get art into as many schools as possible, but I think that having a competition, an annual competition, helps teachers motivate students to look forward to something and recognises young people at an early age, certain abilities that they have. So I think from that perspective it’s significant.”
The creativity of these up and coming artists is portrayed in vivid colours, sharp contrasts and subtle hues that rival the work of some of the more established painters. Mike Tang, who attends Saint John?s College, chose to add another dimension to a local subject.
Mike Tang, Winner, Cartoon Theme
“My work is about La Sucia, it?s a Belizean folktale which I remake it using colour pencils.”
Patrick Jones
“How difficult was it for you to get into character to portray that in picture?”
Mike Tang
“I just need to read into the story and get the idea of what kind of character she was. She is the person who manipulates men and lures them when they are drunk under moonlight, so I picture that in a way how all the powers and all these mystical things happen.”
S.J.C. Art teacher David Anderson says there is nothing mystical about how three of his students took the top three prizes in the competition. Anderson says good old fashioned hard work paid off.
David Anderson, Art Teacher, S.J.C. High School
“I feel pretty much overwhelmed by the results. I was surprised yesterday knowing that these guys are from my class and they are the top three winners. I feel good for them and knowing that these guys they work very hard for nine months on a whole. These guys were in class, they came in on Saturdays and stuff, so perseverance pays off and I feel a great deal of appreciation and gratitude for these guys.”
But high school students were not alone in the visual arts competition. Inmates of the Wagner Youth Facility at Hattieville Prison also submitted paintings and drawings. According to organisers, the inmates got to take part in the competition through a programme offered by the Belize Centre for Art Education. Deon Gillett and Leon Hinds say the art course has taught them to be confident and competitive.
Deon Gillett, Inmate, Wagner’s Youth Facility
“Well for me it’s a real honour and privilege for me to take part in this competition, because I’m from the Prison Department and it?s a real honour to go to the classes. But I think it?s even more better for us to partake in the competition although we didn?t come out on top. But we?re just starting also too, right.”
Leon Hinds, Inmate, Wagner?s Youth Facility
“I love painting, my dream come true I say. And God answered my dream. I paint the boat, fish, people, and Maya culture, and I love to paint.”
Anderson says the love and hard work that went into putting the pieces together go farther than earning the students a chance to win prizes in a competition.
David Anderson
“It says a lot. It says that our artists are very, very focused and they have a lot of talent, they have impact. The impact is something whereby your skills all put together on a piece of work, and it?s the power behind the work that gives it that credit. So these guys, I just really, really admire what they do.”
Mike Tang
“Well I actually can’t compare because every artist have their own way of expressing themselves. I respect all of them that their work that they are doing right now is a great contribution to the Belizean art culture.”
Patrick Jones, for News 5.
The exhibition will be on display until the end of the month at the House of Culture.
