The annual visual arts programme organized by Youlou Arts Foundation, titled “Growing Young SVG Artists ” came to a close on Friday, August 2nd with a closing ceremony held at the Girl Guides Hut in Kingstown Park.
The ceremony was attended by children from 3 locations – Georgetown,
Spring Village and Kingstown.
There was great excitement at the closing ceremony. It made for a very proud moment for the children and organizers of the programme.
During the ceremony all the creative arts were on display in full force – the visual, performing, and literary arts. The ceremony was the culmination of the two week art programme called “Growing Young SVG Artists”. One could see and hear, what the children had accomplished during this rich and nuturing programme.
On display were the ever so colourful, beautiful coral reef sculptures created by the children. They were a sight to behold. One could see the hard work the children had put into making these projects. The Kingstown Public Library has graciously allowed the coral reef made by the children from the Kingstown location to be displayed. The public is invited to view this beautiful sculpture.
Coral Reef made by the children from the Kingstown location
Coral Reef made by the children from the Georgetown location
More of the Kingstown Coral Reef
Coral Reef made by the children from Spring Village
Children from the Spring Village location were inspired to learn a dance which they performed at the closing ceremony. This beautiful dance was perfect for the coral theme. One could see the joy the dancers expressed in performing their dance, there was no hesitation they exhibited pure confidence.
For 19 years Youlou Arts Foundation has been offering the “Growing Young SVG Artists” programme to the children of SVG. Each year this creative, educational programme is created with the goal of making a space where children between the ages of 5 to 12 can learn in a fun and creative way, using their hands and brain.
This exceptional programme forces the children to think and be curious.
At the start of each ” Growing Young SVG Artists” programme, information on the subject is given to the children. This can take many forms. This year the children saw a short film about coral, how coral reefs are formed and the dangers coral reefs face. There were lots of discussions and research done on the subject. The children were also encouraged to be curious about the chosen subject.
The 2019 Programme was the third and final part of a series titled
“From The Sea” . The series started in 2017 with the focus on whales, in 2018 the focus was on octopuses and the 2019 the focus was on coral. The children learnt about the role of coral in the environment. The role they play in our food chain and the importance of protecting coral reefs.
In each “Growing Young SVG Artists” programme, the goal is to encourage the children to do research before the actual art making starts.
This year the hands on projects were puppet making, making of sculptures using paper mache, making and illustrating a book on coral and designing a chart which depicted life on the coral reef.
Some projects required lots of drawing and painting, a fun activity, which never the less requires a great deal of focus and decision making. Children used ordinary everyday tools and supplies such as scissors, glue and string, and were able to recycle plastic bottles, and eggs crates.
The making and illustrating of books, and poetry writing exposed the children to thinking and writing which improves their reading and language skills.
The performing arts took the form of singing and reciting poems. The children were taught a song about coral which they practiced each day with gusto. The “Coral Song” written for children carefully explained how to treat coral and prevent the destruction of this animal. It was sung by all during the closing ceremony.
Poems about coral and other related things about the sea were read to the children with the idea of encouraging them to try writing their own.
This comprehensive overview of the “Growing Young SVG Artists” programme is intended to inform the public about the part the arts play in education.
The programme is usually held in the following locations: Kingstown, Barrouallie, Georgetown, and Spring Village. For each location there is a point person, whose responsibilities are to select teachers/instructors who would work in the two week programme. A three day Teachers Training Workshop is
offered to the teachers/instructors, where they actually make the projects.
the children will be making during the 2 week programme. During this workshop discussions are encouraged about the various ways to present the projects to the children.
The point person is also responsible for ensuring the school where the programme is to be held is available; for distributing the registration forms and advertising the programme in their location. Currently the point person for the Georgetown location is Ms. Setranella Young, Mrs. Heather Stewart for Spring Village and Ms. Joy Haynes and Ms. Nadia Muckett for Barrouallie.
At this point a special thanks must be extended to the parents who chose to send their children to the ” Growing Young SVG Artists” programme organized by Youlou Arts Foundation. Reports from parents were overwhelmingly positive. They expressed amazement at the quality and breadth of the work the children were able to accomplish in two weeks. Equally the instructors/ teachers were excited to see the joy and excitement the children showed as they completed each project. They witnessed first hand the the power of art making – the building of confidence to the youth of SVG is the best thing you can supply.
Children at the Kingstown location
Camille Musser with the youngest child at the Georgetown location.
Youlou Arts Foundation 