THE Creative Arts in Guyana can at times be underrated and underappreciated, due to several reasons and constraints prevalent in the country. But in fact, it has profound ability to make revolutionary changes, not just in the lives of people, but also in the country as a whole.

Recognising the aptitude, the Bishops High School (BHS) has created a way to integrate the Creative Arts in the lives of those in their student body who may have an interest in the subject.

This was done by implementing an Arts Club in the school, and over the years, significant improvements were noted in the students. Teacher in charge of the BHS Arts Club, Claire Maison confirmed this. She told the Guyana Chronicle that remarkable changes were seen since the club was founded in 2013, and that she believes it is an absolute necessity in the school’s extra-curricular activities.

“I feel the Arts Club is absolutely necessary, because it serves as an outlet for students who are not inclined towards the Sciences and Maths,” Maison said. “Writing or dancing or any of the other art forms has a cathartic effect on students; it’s a means of coping with the many issues that they face that the teachers or their peers are inept to help them with,” she added.

The Arts Club, she said, serves the purpose of helping the students develop leadership skills, and to put into practise some of the knowledge they would have garnered in English B classes, especially poetry and drama.

“I’ve observed that even the shy students feel like the Club provides a safe space, and since, for the most part, the students have full autonomy, they are loathe to see their projects fail,” she said, adding: “Also, the passion demonstrated by the administration members is quite contagious. As the HOD of English, I support their efforts 100 per cent, and my vision is that this club will take charge of some of the inter-house competitions at the school that are hosted by the English Department, like our Impromptu Speaking, Drama and Debating Competitions. The plan is also to compile some of the beautiful poems written by our club members into a booklet. We want to reach out at a community level, and create a book club and have reading buddies for primary school students. This would be our contribution to promoting literacy.”

She noted, too, that the club has been dormant for a while at BHS, but a new student administration took over last year, and it has become quite vibrant. For that, she is even more proud that students stepped up and revamped the club.

To this end, she commended the President, Samuel Boucher, who is a Lower Sixth student at BHS, and his team of students.

EXCEPTIONALLY PROUD

“I’m exceptionally proud of how proactive Samuel was during this period of social distancing. He is passionate about the Arts, and as president of the club, he was able to mobilise the members, and they were able to present activities that truly showcased the talent we have at BHS,” Ms. Maison said.

In an interview with President Boucher, he explained that the club is one that basically appreciates the Arts, and has sub-divisions, namely: Music, Dance, Creative Writing, Drama and Visual Arts.

He said that they would host interactive sessions that help students better their craft, or even help students that want to do something in the field become more educated in that department. They would also host various events which give student members an opportunity to showcase their craft.

Boucher told this publication that he deems the club a very important aspect of their life.

“I believe each student should have an extra-curricular activity along with their academics. And as the various arts are known for bringing people together and uniting communities, whether it be dance, music or even writing, this kind of club is necessary for bringing a diverse group of students together and finding a safe space to express themselves. And, considering what has been happening, not just in Guyana but around the world, a club that can unite people in such a way is very important during these times,” Boucher said.

He said, too, that outside of their school setting, Art helps society as a whole in self-knowledge and understanding.

“It helps teach society about itself, hoping to point out the attitudes and mindsets of current society. It can be a tool used to educate people about their current conditions. Like mentioned before, the Arts plays a major role in bringing communities together, and specifically in this current time in our country where there is so much division among our people, there can be these simple events than can easily bring these different races into one nation.

OVERWHELMING RESPONSE
In fact, the Arts Club hosted an at-Home Open Mic Night, which had a number of our members performing various pieces, and the response we got from the public was overwhelming. It wasn’t about who you were or where you came from; it was about people coming together to celebrate the Arts, and I feel any country can go far, if we embrace this kind of initiative,” the young man expressed.

Since Boucher took up presidency, there have been many events that were hosted and spearheaded by his dynamic team. And even in the season of quarantine and social distancing, the team of students kept the arts alive, and hosted several Online events dubbed, ‘The Arts Club @ Home Project’, that kept them very active.

Boucher said the club also took up the mantle of organising a few school events, most notably the recent Christmas Concert, and they are planning on continuing the interactive sessions in school to continue seeing the effect it has on the students.

He noted, too, that they are hoping to be able to perform at an orphanage during the Christmas season.