A one day workshop for primary and secondary school art teachers is
scheduled for January 19, at which Susan Mains and Gordon de la Mothe
will conduct the sessions.
“I expect the workshop will be quite an eye opener for our art
teachers. They will gain a lot of knowledge, which will benefit them
and their students,” according to Ministry of Education Art Instructor
Lisa Francis.
Mrs. Francis is also Chairperson of the Patron of the Arts Fund
Management Team, which was appointed by Cabinet to develop criteria for
the management and use of the Fund that would serve to enhance the
School Art Programme.
The workshop will take place at the T.A. Marryshow Community College
Art Room. In the morning Ms. Mains will focus on the ability of art to
empower individuals, communities and nations not only to have a richer
cultural experience but to recognise the economic potential of art. Ms.
Mains will also present an introduction to appreciation of art in the
OECS sub region.
In the afternoon Mr. de la Mothe will conduct a practical session
for teachers, addressing methods of analysing shapes, spaces and forms
in terms of line and tone.
The Patron of the Arts Fund was established through the sale of the
2006 commemorative calendar, which was organised by the Agency for
Reconstruction and Development (ARD), in collaboration with the
Ministry of Education. The ARD Art Adventure utilised art as a
therapeutic tool and encouraged students to express their feelings
about Hurricane Ivan and their hopes for the future. The12 winning
drawings were featured on the calendar, for which the ARD organised the
sale of more than 9,000 copies. As of January 2007, the Fund contains
$59,609 (EC).
The Patron of the Arts Fund Management Team comprises:
- Chairperson Lisa Francis, Art Supervisor, Ministry of Education;
- Anthony Brown, Education Officer, Ministry of Education;
- Suelin Low Chew Tung, Grenada Arts Council Representative;
- Gordon de la Mothe, established artist/teacher;
- Sybil Alexander, Head of Policy and Research, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade;
- Representative of the Ministry of Social Development (to be named)
- Hermes Jacobs, Social Development Research Specialist, ARD.