Keeping art high up on the community agenda

Whether it’s through beautifying the island with bus stop murals, championing the U.N.’s Year of Youth or generally encouraging creativity in the ­community, the Masterworks Foundation has art education at the top of its agenda.

The foundation, based at the Botanical Gardens, Paget, has finalized its ­calendar of events for the rest of this year through next year. It is filled with classes, talks and workshops aimed at “increasing the understanding of ­aesthetics, environment and history of Bermuda through the visual arts.”

There are some 14 art ­education programmes, many of which are free, which are suitable for all members of society.

One exciting development lies within the foundation’s Art for All Christmas Programme which takes place on December 29, 30 and 31. It marks the start of a six-month community project to design and paint murals on ten bus stops across the island. The ­public is invited to submit ideas and designs for the bus stops, linked to the United Nations’ International Year of Youth.

The foundation’s director of education, Robyn DeSilva said: “It ’s not only open to Masterworks people — there is a youth group at St. Monica’s Mission and they have asked the art community to do something up there so they might take on one of them. It is really to help beautify our island and it is open to all ages. We also need volunteers to look after the children as they would be working by the roads.”

The free Arts for All Christmas Programme is open to all ages and also ­includes a series of 2-3 hour workshops by local artists including Amy Zanders, Frank Dublin, Vernon Clarke and Donna Smith.

Masterworks is intent on making sure everyone has the opportunity to experience and appreciate art and it’s Art and Me Programme is testament to that. A ­collaboration between ­Masterworks, The National Gallery and the Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation, the nine-week course aims to target schools where the art department is lacking a full time art teacher. Each ­organization hosts a different group of 15 P5 students for a 90-minute session every Friday afternoon and the students rotate between the three organizations. The programme runs three times each school year — the next being from January to April.

“The kids have really ­enjoyed being at the different galleries and doing ­different art,” said Ms De Silva.

Another free programme is Super Saturdays where Masterworks invites ­parents and children to ­participate in up to six ­activities simultaneously throughout the building. It takes place one Saturday per month and offers the opportunity to touch on a diverse range of artistic skills.

The public has the opportunity to meet with international artists through the foundation’s Artist in Residence Programme which runs throughout the year. Mari Hill Harper has been photographing what is fast becoming known as Bermuda’s dying industry — agriculture. Her show runs at Masterworks from December 10 to 21. During their three-month stay, each artist conducts a series of public workshops as well as in schools.

There are a number of foundation programmes that have to be paid for including the After School Arts, Saturday Arts and Holiday Arts Programmes. These range between $200 and $300 each.

The summer programme is aimed at 5 to 13 year olds and runs five days a week eight hours a day. It includes activities, field trips and lessons. The Family Centre offers some free spaces on the programme to children it has identified as in need.

For the adults there is the six-week Adult Art Education Programme run in conjunction with local artists.

Ms De Silva said: “Adult art education is great ­because the classes are ­specialized. You know you are coming for a mosaics class or line drawing or oil painting. This group is good for teachers because they can get their professional development hours through this by either teaching to or being a part of it. These are normally $100 to $200 for a six week programme.

Ms De Silva said of the Masterworks arts education calendar: “It’s been building and building over three years — we have so much to offer but there is so much potential. Tom Butterfield, our director, wants it to be even more community centred, he wants everyone to be able to use the facility.” 

For a full list of programmes visit: www.bermudamasterworks.com