Artists in School Festival to celebrate Tambo’s life

THE annual Artists in School Festival kicks off today at the Guild Theatre in East London with more than 60 schools from across the Eastern Cape celebrating the life of struggle hero Oliver Tambo, who would have been 100 years old this year.

Pupils from disadvantaged schools will demonstrate the longest-serving ANC president’s life through dance, music, drama and a visual art exhibition today and tomorrow from 9am. Entrance is free. Festival organiser Reginald Danster said the annual festival was a culmination of the work done by Eastern Cape artists who teach pupils art and drama in schools.

This year, more than 70 artists worked with the pupils.

“We place artists in schools to assist with teaching arts and drama, and the outcome is that these artists, along with their pupils, present their works at the festival.”

The Guild Theatre will be abuzz with live performances, poetry recitals and the biggest art exhibition to be presented by schools, Danster said.

“Last year the theme was youth, and the year before that, Nelson Mandela. This year we’ll be celebrating Tambo’s selfless leadership.

“The festival grows each year and I believe this year will be even better than last. The focus has been on establishing the intermediate and senior phases.

“It would be great to have funding so we can get more artists involved in teaching art at a foundational level.”

He said the art programme hoped to establish a platform for upcoming artists in the province to flourish.

“We would like to develop artists from grassroots level, so they can be active role players in the industry,” Danster said.

He said they would like to see more pupils pursuing arts as a career.

“Our intention is to promote art in schools in the entire province. We will be targeting the deepest parts of rural areas.”

Danster also said the festival hoped to establish the art industry for artists, and grow a market for “art to be appreciated in the province”.

“We hope to see a turnaround in the arts industry in the Eastern Cape. We would like to see these pupils involved in the festival grow to be active role players.

“Even if they don’t all become artists, we want to see them paying and buying art pieces, and developing an interest in the performing arts, because they have an understanding and appreciation for the industry.

“Our interest is to develop an audience that will be responsive to creative arts in our province.” —