Local artists celebrated, recognised at 2019 GVACE
Winner of the Painting Category, Dominique Hunter receives her award from Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton
Winner of the Painting Category, Dominique Hunter receives her award from Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton

SCORES of local artists were recognised and celebrated as part of the activities organised for the 2019 Guyana Visual Arts Competition and Exhibition (GVACE), which got underway Thursday night.

Speaking at the awards ceremony held at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) on Thursday, Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, noted that all of the entries- over 200 in number- serve as “tangible representations of the country’s heritage”.

Local photographers and art enthusiasts marvel at the second best photograph, entitled ‘Let’s Play Phagwah’, of this year’s Guyana Visual Arts Competition and Exhibition (seen at left). This photograph was taken by Chronicle’s own Senior Photographer, Samuel Maughn [Delano Williams photos]
He noted the ability of the artists to project their emotions and feelings onto visual medium and create captivating pieces. These, he said, presented a spectacular display of the talent encompassed in Guyana.

Importantly, he expressed his delight that quite a number of the pieces came from either past or present students of the E.R. Burrowes School of Art and said, “I hope that [this] will motivate more persons to pursue their creative potential.”

The numerous artists were awarded in six categories- painting, sculpting, ceramics, drawing, photography and fine craft. “It is my hope that you will continue to be representations of our country’s creativity,” Minister Norton said to those winners and all participants.

On his own, Minister Norton also indicated that he had always been a supporter of the arts- particularly in his ministerial portfolio- and underscored that look to advance these efforts, particularly in the area of advocacy, to augment the development of the creative sector in Guyana.

The winners in each category were: Dominique Hunter, Painting; Courtney Douglas, Drawing; Stephen McKenzie, Sculpture; Dawn Isaacs McKenzie, Ceramics; Kamalita Hiralall, Fine Craft; and in photography, Yancey Heywood.

Chronicle’s own Senior Photographer, Samuel Maughn walked away with the second place prize in the photography category.

Winners of the Promise Award, an award given to young and upcoming artists who show great potential, were Tammie Walker and Roberto Teekah.

All entries are on display at the National Art Gallery, Castellani House. In fact, the artworks take up the entirety of the building and allow for one to be fully immersed in local art.

The GVACE was launched in July, 2012 as a biennial competition for Guyanese 16 years and older.

“The aim of the competition and exhibition was to provide a forum to recognise and support the creative work of Guyanese in the Visual Arts, and to provide a source of inspiration to Guyanese artists, thereby stimulating the development of the finest expressions of the Visual Imagination among Guyanese,” GVACE Committee Member, Vanda Radzik explained.

Chairman of the GVACE, Alim Hosein, however related that the GVACE committee has recognised that more must be done to boost the local art sector. It is for this reason that the committee decided to engage in workshops and public lectures.

Additionally, he noted that the committee has decided to offer GVACE Education bursaries, as tangible support to persons to study art to make it their career.

These bursaries, he said, were selected on a competitive basis and were awarded to Final Year student of the University of Guyana, Chelsea Ramotar and student of the E.R. Burrowes School of Art, Latiana Williams.

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