Growing Young SVG Artists 2010

Youlou Arts Foundation 2010 Visual Arts program

2010 was a big year for the "Growing Young SVG Artists" program, sponsored and organized by Youlou Arts. This year Youlou Arts was able to get funding to have a visiting artist to facilitate the children's visual arts program. Wendy Walter, an artist from Massachusetts, USA was the visiting artist. Wendy is a printmaker and painter and works at Turtle Studios in Watertown, MA, an artist run cooperative. As the visiting artist, Wendy was responsible for designing and presenting projects which encompass the theme, My Homeland.

Spring Village, a small town on the leeward side of the island, started offering the "Growing Young SVG Artists" program. The program is now offered in 4 locations, Kingstown, Barrouallie, Georgetown, and Spring Village. A total of roughly 150 children attended the program. The theme was My Homeland. The main focus was to get the children excited about their own life as a source of inspiration to create and to develop skills to communicate their ideas and stories. The children were encouraged to explore visual concepts and techniques. The one week training workshop for Primary School Teachers started on July 12. It was well attended with a record number of 30 teachers. The training workshop was started in 2005 and has continued for the past 5 years. Primary School teachers who wish to participate in the "Growing Young SVG Artists" program as instructors are given professional art training. Wendy was the facilitator for the teacher's workshop. She instructed the teachers in portrait sketching, landscape painting, collage, and glue painting. She presented a number of resources to help the teachers create a book on their homeland. Poetry writing was introduced at the teacher's workshop for the first time.

Kingstown - There were roughly 50 children who participated in the program in this location. They were eager and enthusiastic and had the experience of expressing themselves on a radio station and on TV. Here are some poems from this location.

"If I were a Boy" by Zoranna Byron, age 13.

"If I were a boy I would have lots of toys. I would hang with the guys and chase after girls. We will be on the block hanging and chilling not on the net playing car racing. I would play soccer, cricket and baskerball and watch the girls play netball. I would have lots of experiences for new things that are sometimes wrong and stupid. But if I had a choice I would make good mistakes that would not get me in trouble."

"My Orange" by Clerisa Thomas, age 15  

"Her perfectly orange body filled my eyes with laughter as I passed her by she looked so shy. Round in shape her body so smooth as a baby bottom she smells bitter with rhyme. As I stripped her I noticed inside she was white with an outer coat and her centre a light orange. I hate to eat her but she taste so sweet she sticks between my teeth but I can't refuse her call. She looks so good dangling from the tree so ripe so juicy."

Barrouallie - There were roughly 45 children in this location. They were divided into 4 groups of beginners, juniors, intermediate and seniors. The children enjoyed creating their own work. Their attendance and punctuality posed no problem even when it rained. Here are 2 poems from this location.

"Potatoes Sweet" by Phillicia Douglas, age 10

Limes are Sour Steam potatoes Boil potatoes Potatoes brown They grow underground Potato pie is so sweet Potatoes salad make me eat Potato vines can climb the mountains Potatoes bumpy. Limes are fruits Limes are good for colds Limes are a good source of vitamins C Limes green or ripe Limes are sour But they make a great tasting juice.

"Sugar Apple" by Khagijah Gordon, age 11

"I am round with rough skin When I am green am hard to the touch When I am ripe my aroma lights up the room I'm here on the tree Come pick me I'll make you lick your fingers Mmmmmmmmm I am so gooooood."

Georgetown - There were roughly 45 children in this location. The poetry writing had a big impact on the children. The teachers reported it was their best year ever and are eagerly looking forward to the 2011 program. Here are some poems from this location.

"St. Vincent" by Donte Sam, age 6

St. Vincent is a very wonderful country There are lots of wonderful fruits to eat And there are lots of wonderful vegetables. Do you know what I think of St.Vincent ? I think that St. Vincent is the most Wonderful country in the world.

"The Star" by Dandre Toney, age 8

"The star is bright like the morning light. It sparkles bright in the night It is dim in the rain When you look in the sky at night it looks like it is insane."

"I dreamt I saw" by Hayden Sealy, age 8

"I dreamt I saw pants with patches Glasses with cracks Apples with holes A rock on fire I dreamt I saw a parrot tap dancing A cat listening to rock music A baker turning a loaf into bread I dreamt I saw a coward tin man And a mouse turning into a mouse"

Spring Village - This was the first time the program was offered in this location. It was held for 2 weeks since they were understaffed. There were roughly 35 children in this location. The program proved to be just what the children in this area needed to encourage them to be creative. They were very enthusiastic and proud of the work they created. Here are some poems from this location.

"Watermelon" by Areilla Ollivierre, age 10

"We like our watermelon cold, juicy and sweet. We cannot wait to bite into it with our teeth. It is green outside and it has black seeds. It is red inside yum, yum let's eat."

"Music" by Deshorne Spence, age 10

"I love music, it's very fun. When you hear the music you could dance all day long. When you hear the rhythm of the beat you feel like you want to jump in the street. I listen to it in my bed. It's all in my head. I hear it in the vans. I can't help but shake my hands. I like music; it's a lot of FUN."