The annual Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Visual Arts Exhibition has returned to Guyana after 11 years with over 250 pieces on display at the National Art Gallery, Castellani House.
Speaking at the opening ceremony yesterday, Chief Education Officer Olato Sam expressed his gratitude to the examination body for allowing Guyana to host the event again while urging students to use the exhibit as an inspiration to attain even greater levels of achievement in the area of visual arts.
“Despite our dominance in other areas with regard to regional assessment, it is our ambition, our intent, to be dominant in every single aspect of education in the region and visual arts is no exception,” the Chief Education Officer said.
CXC Assistant Registrar Cleveland Sam emphasized the focus that has been placed on the subject as CXC continues to promote both visual and performing arts as part of the curriculum.
He explained that like all other subjects offered, visual art encompasses the three domains of learning as it covers a wide spectrum including the theory and history of art, element and principles of design as well as practical skills. He highlighted that they are important aspects of the syllabus though many educators dismiss the subject as just something to fill an empty space.
“CXC sincerely hopes that this way of thinking is a thing of the past. As a region we have long moved beyond this misguided perception of education. In addition, as our society becomes more sophisticated and we develop an appreciation for the finer things in life, our concept of art must also change,” he said.
The CXC Visual Art Exhibition has become an annual feature on the calendar of CXC, and participating countries look forward to hosting the exhibition as it gives their students and the public the opportunity to view the very best art produced by former students,” Registrar of CXC Glenroy Cumberbatch said in a statement.
Guyana first hosted the event back in 2004 at National Centre for Education Research Development (NCERD).
The exhibit, which includes pieces from all aspects of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Visual Arts programme: Drawing, Leather Craft, Graphic and Communication Design, Painting and Mixed-Media, Sculpture and Ceramics, Fibre and Decorative Arts, Textile Design and Manipulation and Print Making runs until May 2. It is open to the public between 9:00hrs to 17:00hrs.
