The National Visual Arts Exhibition and Fair currently being held at Castellani House, Georgetown, aims to showcase the progress made in visual arts education, which has transitioned from the Allied Arts Unit to the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Unit.
The exhibition which kicked off on November 6 will run until November 16, and will highlight the various programmes under TVET, such as the Secondary Competence Certificate Programme (SCCP), Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ), and CXC Visual Arts.
This change emphasizes the preparation of students for careers in the arts, while addressing previous concerns about the relevance of art studies in relation to employment opportunities.
In an interview with the Sunday Stabroek, Education Officer II responsible for Visual Arts in the TVET Unit of the Ministry of Education, Lorian Jacobs, explained the purpose and objectives of the on-going exhibition.
She noted that art performance has significantly improved—rising from a 25% pass rate in 2015 to 84% this year. The exhibition features Grade 1 student works, Grade 4 students, teacher training outcomes, and pieces from Cyril Potter College of education and E.R. Burrowes School of Art, emphasizes diverse art forms beyond traditional drawings and paintings. “What you see here is a textile piece done by students at CPCE. The leathercraft was also done by students at CPCE and I deliberately separated them because I want persons to see what is it coming out from CPCE directly,” Jacobs, explained.
She also noted that collaboration with regional embassies and educational institutions is crucial for setting standards and improving facilities for art education.
The Education Officer pointed out that the exhibition is intended to showcase the standard of work by teachers and students. “We have to ensure the teachers are properly trained. Some students who went on mentorship at the University of Guyana were mentored by professionals like Winslow Craig.”
The artwork on display at the exhibition includes mixed-media pieces, ceramics, and leathercraft, illustrating the variety of skills being taught.
