Minister lauds programme at Burrowes school as art students graduate

The Burrowes School of Art on September 25 reached a milestone after 12 students graduated from its certificate and diploma programmes.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony, bestowed prizes on the best graduating diploma student, Dominique Hunter and best certificate student Roy Vaux, a press release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said. The minister also called for greater appreciation of art by the public as “Art is integral to our being as a cultural people.

We must seek out art exhibitions, discussions and have debates and this should not only be confined to Georgetown but must spread to every region.” In keeping with this a public competition will be held next year to promote art.

In his address to the graduates Anthony told them that they “can now consider themselves a special fraternity of creative individuals who must keep Guyanese art alive.” In a packed programme, representatives of the school and Permanent Secretary at the ministry, Keith Booker, also paid tribute to famous Guyanese artist Philip Moore.

Director of Studies at the school Kathleen Henriquo identified some of the institutions’ shortcomings but she said student aptitude and attitude are the main contributors to the school’s attrition rate. She said reading and comprehension skills are some of the key academic requirements which should result from a completed school career.

Henriquo also alluded to the financial constraints which challenge parents and guardians of students and which often results in limited support, and which affects their two or three-year tenure. The courses offered in the diploma and certificate programmes include graphics, art, history, english, ceramics, textile design, painting and leather craft. Meanwhile, the director said, the school gains enormous support for its one-year beginners certificate and five-week modular programmes during the August vacation in areas such as painting, textiles, graphics, ceramics, craft and drawing. The school also offers a two-week day camp which the ministry sponsors. Henriquo said

“These camps are a great success and fun for the participating children