Melanie Damishana Art and Reading Programme

“Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.” ? Leonardo da Vinci
IN a previous column, I explained the difference between recreational art and educational art. The focus of that column was to prepare tween students and their parents for the transition from primary to secondary in the new academic year. This week, my focus will be on the recreational aspect of art.

On January 6, 2018, a colleague of mine started an art and ready programme in Melanie Damishana. This programme focuses on the recreational aspect of art. It involves the use of creative techniques such as drawing, painting, collage, colouring, or sculpting to help children express themselves artistically. Lori-Ann Jacobs is the Education Officer Visual Arts within the Ministry of Education. The Melanie Damishana Art and Reading Programme started as a means of her giving back to her childhood community. This programme coincides with the academic terms of the school year. Held on Saturdays at the Vigalstra Housing Coop Building from 10:00hrs to 12:00hrs, it combines literacy with art. Children ranging from 6 to 14 years from within Melanie and neighbouring communities attend this programme.

I was fortunate the visit the programme just before the previous academic term ended. There I was able to speak to both parents and students about the impact the programme was having on them. Admittingly, to my surprise, it had a far greater impact than I had anticipated. What struck me was the testimony of young Akia Adams who had just passed Common Entrance and secured a place at President College. Akia had started the programme from the inception but had taken a break to prepare for her examination.

However, she continued to draw for the love of art. “When I’m studying and I get a little bored, I would go and do some art and when I feel more energetic, I would go back to studying. It made it easier for me,” she said. In other words, art helped her study. It was also admirable to hear parents express their feelings towards art being taught as a subject. They see it as an avenue of release and also they can appreciate the joy it brings to their children.

In addition to this, children also learn how to work in groups. Ms Jacobs noted that the older children are sometimes frustrated with the younger ones because, as mentioned in the recreational art vs. educational art column, at their age art has meaning to them. So, they want purpose. They want perfection, while the younger children just want to move lines. According to Ms Jacobs, the programme helps her to understand the level of the children, the way they are thinking. “And if we understand the way they are thinking, we will know how to communicate with them to move them to another level,” she said.

The art and reading programme is dependent on sponsorship and volunteers for its sustainability. If you are interested in volunteering, donating or registering your child you can contact Ms Jacobs on 658-8980 or her Facebook page @ Lori-Ann Jacobs. The Melanie Damishana Art and Reading Programme commences on September 7, 2019. So, as you prepare your children for the new academic term you may want to consider combining art and reading for it has proven to help open a child’s mind for content retention.