The Tribune

For the seventh consecutive year, RBC Finco, in partnership with the Art & Design Unit of the Department of Education, sponsored The Visual Arts Exhibition. The exhibition showcases art and craft produced by students in high schools, junior and senior, and primary schools throughout the Bahamas.

This year, the Visual Arts Exhibition was held under the theme ‘Using Colour to Create an Expressive Statement’. As a result of the overwhelming response from students the Art and Design Unit mounted separate exhibitions for the senior high schools and the junior high schools. The exhibition took place in February for senior high school students and in March for junior high school students. The exhibition was on display to the public at The Mall at Marathon.

“Arts education promotes the skills children need to be successful. Research has proven that exposure to art education enhances learning, improves school attendance and sharpens critical and creative skills. The Visual Arts Exhibition reflects the fine quality of art instruction and talent which exist in the Bahamas,” said organisers of the exhibit.

“We are proud to once again sponsor the Visual Arts Exhibition and in doing so contribute to the creative potential of young people,” said Tanya McCartney, RBC Finco managing director. Over the years, RBC has been an active supporter of the arts. For the past 30 years it has conducted The RBC Summer Arts Workshop, a comprehensive art programme for young Bahamian art students.

Pamela Chandler, senior education officer for art and design in the Ministry of Education said: “The exhibition is a valuable incentive for students and encourages an appreciation for the arts amongst Bahamians. It is important that young artists showcase their talent so that they do not fear criticism, especially constructive criticism. Exhibiting one’s work is equally as important to the development of an artist as the process of producing the work.”

Awards were presented by Lady Joan Foulkes at a special awards ceremony on March 14 at Center Court, Mall at Marathon. Eric Sands from Abaco Central High received an award for drawing and Davette Morley of Preston Albury High School won an award for painting.

New Providence Junior Division: Fine Arts and Creative Craft:

Abigail Wells – H.O. Nash Junior High School

Senior Division: Fine Arts: Kerri Bascom – Queen’s College

Senior Division: Creative Craft: Romario Hacker – C.C. Sweeting Senior High School

Five Family Island schools and sixteen schools from New Providence participated in the 15th Visual Arts Exhibition. Overall winners included:

Family Island Junior Division:

2nd Place – Farmer’s Cay All Age School

1st Place – Spanish Wells All Age School

Family Island Senior Division:

3rd Place – Abaco Central High School

2nd Place Acklins High School

1st Place – Spanish Wells All Age School

New Providence Junior Division:

3rd Place – Queen’s College

2nd Place – L.W. Young Junior High School

1st Place – H.O. Nash Junior High School

New Providence Senior Division:

3rd Place – Queen’s College

2nd Place – C.V. Bethel Senior High School

1st Place – The Government High School