THE 2018 graduating class of the E.R. Burrowes School of Art put on a grand exhibition of numerous paintings, sculptures and other art forms at the Umana Yana on Wednesday, showcasing their accomplishments at the institution.

The family and friends of the eight students turned out in their numbers to show support for those who were completing the three-year diploma and two-year certificate programme.

At the ceremony, remarks came from Director of Culture Tamika Boatswain, who challenged the graduating class to be innovative and to set themselves apart from the rest.
She said that the Government of Guyana recognises the importance that art plays in the development of communities and the country by extension. As such, Boatswain urged the students to use their skills and talents to highlight pressing issues, while inspiring other Guyanese to develop a love for creativity.

“I challenge you to be innovative and to set yourselves apart from the rest. In a career where the financial rewards are not always glorious, you must realise that you have a greater role to play in Guyanese society. Use your talent and your canvas to inspire national dialogue on important issues of interest to our society and to inspire more Guyanese to appreciate the beauty of art. You are more powerful than you know,” she said.
Meanwhile, remarks came too from the school’s Administrator Ivor Thom, who stated that since 1979 the institution has been churning out graduates who have continued to use their tools to inspire change. He added that over the years, the E.R. Burrowes School of Art has worked its way into the education landscape of Guyana, where it can annually enable students to be who they want to be in life.

Similar remarks came from External Examiner George Struikelblok, who commended the eight youths on their quality of work, which he said continues to improve. He further commissioned them to expand their fields and promote their work, as art plays a crucial role in the creation of culture and the uniting of people. The Guyana Chronicle was fortunate to speak with two of the students; Kamalita Heralall, a diploma student and Laurindo John, a certificate student.

Kamalita told this newspaper that her work explores the relationship between her inner feelings and her love for nature. She draws inspiration from her former class teacher Michelle Damon and her desire to see more Guyanese appreciate the resources around them, which they can use to create beautiful art. Her theme was focused on ‘Connecting with Nature’ and, apart from her paintings and other craft work, created a semi-abstractive mobile tree representing the embodiment of all life forms.

Items used to create the large display included jute, leather and scrap wood leftovers she would collect from her colleagues as they worked.

“I want to bring awareness to the local and natural materials that we are surrounded by, rather than to just have a foreign mentality. I want to create art using the local and natural materials that we see every day and take for granted,” she said.

After graduating, she intends to complete her Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination, which is still an achievement she wants to cross off her to-do list.
Meanwhile, Laurindo hails from the Surama Village in the North Rupununi and through his high school art teacher Godfrey Alexander, came to know about the E.R. Burrowes School of Art.

His work took on the theme of ‘The Great Huntsman,’ which he fashioned after a story he was told of a hunter in the Guyana jungle who received great power over the animals. After graduating, he intends to return to his village where he will open a small business of his own to display and sell his art work and jewellery.