By Michelle Gonsalves
THE Guyana Women Artists Association (GWAA) opened its 25th Annual Exhibition last Thursday at the National Art Gallery (Castellani House) at Vlissengen Road and Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown.

The exhibition showcased the recent and retrospective work of twelve current members of the association, joined by a young guest artist; Aiesha Scottland.
The works present a range of styles and images: from atmospheric views of Guyana’s interior landscapes and interpretations of Caribbean scenes and memories, to textile art, featuring collage with social commentary, batik, hand painting and printing, macro photography, pen and ink and graphite drawings, and tableaus of dried flowers, leaves and grasses.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, expressed his approval of the work on display, saying that the GWAA had withstood the test of time. He remarked that Guyana was experiencing a resurgence of art, but noted that the country needs to build more appreciation for art, as artists work long and hard on pieces, which are then viewed by a relatively small number of people.
Dr Anthony pointed out the thought-producing qualities of art, noting that art can engage people in conversation, or enrage people, and can do much more. He also encouraged the artists to participate in the revived national competition.

Prime Minister Sam Hinds said artists reflect, in a special way, what is happening in the society. He, like Dr Anthony, commended the GWAA for its longevity, noting that the association had been able to “keep it together”.
Formed in September 1987, the GWAA held its first landmark exhibition, celebrating ‘Sixty Years of Women Artists in Guyana’, in April 1988, with three leading artists given special tribute and focus – the painter and teacher, and first GWAA President, Marjorie Broodhagen; pioneering ceramist and painter Stephanie Correia, and painter and ceramist Leila Locke.
In the intervening years, the annual events have included three exhibitions abroad, and more recently participation in other cultural events, and observances such as International Women’s Day, Carifesta X (Guyana), and XI (Suriname) and Inter-Guianas Cultural Festivals.
In the current exhibition, founding member of the association and participant of the first exhibition, Mrs. O’Donna Allsopp, is joined by younger artists, many of whom are

full-time artists or artist/teachers, such as Jennifer Gibson and Lori-Ann Jacobs; others pursuing full-time careers in public administration, such as Sharon Jordan, Beverly Reynolds and Myrna Bernard; while some — like Reynolds and Gibson — are expatriates from the Caribbean or elsewhere, who join the membership and contribute to the changing profile and renewed vibrancy of the association.
Notable, too, are recent graduates in art – Jacobs from the University of Guyana, and from the Burrowes School of Art; Dominique Hunter and Aiesha Scottland, Best Graduating Students of 2007 and 2010 respectively. The association therefore continues to form a focus for the energies and aspirations of women artists wishing to lead creative lives, and further, to contribute to the cultural life of Guyana.
The exhibition is open to the public until Saturday, 16th November. Gallery hours are 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and 2pm to 6pm on Saturday; the gallery is closed on Sundays and holidays.
The public is cordially invited to visit this exhibition; admission is free.