Prisoners learn art and business of mosaic
It’s an art that dates back to ancient times…and in Belize it’s being resurrected, not in the museum or house of culture…but behind bars. Janelle Chanona reports.
Janelle Chanona, Reporting
Young offenders from the Youth Enhancement Academy, based in Hattieville, weren’t breaking rocks in the hot sun…but they were breaking tiles. It’s a highly technical, labour intensive art form known as mosaic.
Dion Gillett, Inmate Instructor
“Mosaics is the inlaying of tiles to make different forms of picture, murals or whatever.”
Katie Stevens, Project Supervisor
“It’s very, very subtle. Each tile is laid flat, but nothing is really perfect, so there are little tiny variations and those can catch the light or catch the sun. So there’s always a movement with mosaic, even if you’re not conscious of it, it’s there. It’s very lovely special kind of design work.”
Dion Gillett
“Mosaic’s, you really have to got the spirit to do this kind of work. You really have to into it so to speak, because a lot of people say they want to take up mosaic when they see us doing it, cause it’s beautiful work. But at the end of the day when they see for themselves that it’s a lot of work and sophisticated work they back out. I just push on through and perseverance got me to where I am now.”
Phillip Menzie, Y.E.A. Inmate
“It takes my mind off thinking about the time. It really giver me a sense of hope and stop frustration for my mind. I knew it was my honest work by my hand, so it makes me feel great.”
This kind of workmanship is the result of a three-year-old prison programme supervised by Katie Stevens.
Katie Stevens
“One thing that I emphasise is teaching self respect. I think if you respect yourself, then you respect other people and you keep out of trouble. The people who want to come in, ask to come in because they are attracted to that idea. And just for that, everybody gets involved, originally it can be a little bit difficult. And then you get into it and you start some sloppy habits and then you get past that point and then you’re a master at your craft. Really, the work is very professional.”
Today the young professionals spent the day at Cheers Restaurant on the Western Highway where they carefully lifted the cut tiles for the establishment’s new sign. But this job is special because it is not only their biggest project, it is the first time they have been allowed outside the prison compound to assemble their creation. As they made last minute adjustments, it was to be a learning experience for everyone.
Katie Stevens speaking to youth
“You might just want to wait and put them on when you’re actually…you turned it upside down, okay you’re smart. (to Janelle) I learn a lot from these guys. It’s amazing, they come up with their own version of how to do something.”
According to Stevens, the talented young men have become a revenue earner for the Hattieville Correctional Facility…and they are eager to supply your business with their merchandise.
Katie Stevens
“We’re going for the Belizean public, for businesses to enhance your business. They’re very showy, they don’t have to be painted and replaced. Two thousand years is what we say.”
Owner of Cheers restaurant, Anita Tupper, is pleased with the work and what it means to the youths.
Anita Tupper, Owner, Cheers
“It’s kind of a high profile sign and we get a lot of visitors that like to have their picture taken in front of the Cheers sign, so we thought it would get a lot of exposure and look nice.”
And the young men want to keep doing what they are doing.
Dion Gillett
“I hope and pray to Almighty God that the Department of Corrections give the administration staff the vision to do more stuff like this.”
Even though we couldn’t hang around to see the finished product, other examples of the crew’s work, like this piece at the Smoky Mermaid Restaurant, are already on display in Belize City.
And as a show of appreciation for their efforts today, the young artists were invited to leave something of themselves behind, as a reminder that of what they have, and can, accomplish. (Youth hangs D.O.C. T-shirt on restaurant beam)
Reporting for News 5, I am Janelle Chanona.
To put the prisoners to work on your mosaic, contact Katie Stevens at 014-4989.
