Art on display
Students shine at Vaz Prep competition
ALTHOUGH SOME may regard art education as a luxury, simple creative activities are some of the building blocks of child development.
At the recent Vaz Preparatory Inter-House Art Competition, students experimented and created with their fingers, mixed colours and materials, and drew from their imagination and whatever they saw in front of them.
The inaugural staging saw 35 students participating in the competition, with 27 making it to the final round. However, each student received a certificate of participation.
Art is naturally linked to
‘We recognise that there are quite a few students that have the talent, and it comes out in class activities.’
creativity, an attribute that is increasingly being touted as one of the most important factors for the success of individuals, organisations, and cultures. The students participated in three levels of competition in the categories of papier mâché, collage, drawing, and painting.
THE OBJECTIVE
According to Phillando Rowe, chief organiser of the event, the objective behind the staging of the competition was to highlight the artistic ability of the students. “In the last few years, there are students that have graduated from the institution that do very well in art. They were not given the opportunity to showcase their talent to an audience at this level. We want the students to be able to develop their talent at this level and showcase their work here,” Rowe said.
With judging of the pieces conducted by representatives from the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts and Sanaa Studios, Rowe said the response from the students was good and the quality of pieces in the area of expression was excellent.
At the primary level, Jahleel James copped first place, with Khaleel Fyffe and Nahgeri Morgan placing second and third respectively. At the junior level, Arianna Stephenson was the first-place winner, with Brianna Jordan and Justin Watson and Nichelle Ramsay taking second and third place respectively. Meanwhile, at the senior level, Dave-Annie McFarlane was the overall winner, with Grace-Ann Bailey and Andre McLeary copping second and third place.
Grade-two student Jahleel James, who participated at the primary level was declared as the overall winner.
Principal of Vaz Preparatory School Karlene Bisnott, said the students were proud and encouraged by the results of the competition.
HIGHLIGHTING TALENT
“We recognise that there are quite a few students that have the talents and it comes out in class activities. The competition helped to highlight the talents of the students and to build camaraderie and a competitive spirit. It also helped [then] to boost their confidence and recognise the strength they have in the area,” Bisnott said.
“We are also proud of the students from the special centre. They use drawings to express themselves, and having three of the four students who entered from the Centre as finalists really helped to boost their confidence,” she added.
Science, technology, engineering and mathematics coordinator Priscilla Deans encouraged the students to continue pursuing their artistic aspirations. “Vaz is exposing you to another career option. It is a lucrative option, and the students should be motivated to be the best that they can be in the visual and performing arts,” Deans said.