Students throughout St Vincent and the Grenadines are being given the opportunity to showcase their creative talents in the first National Heritage Youth Arts Festival which opened on Tuesday at Heritage Hall the National Trust’s headquarters in the Carnegie Building in Kingstown.{{more}}

The project, jointly funded by the European Union and the Government of SVG is being coordinated by the National Trust. The festival’s theme is ‘Revisiting the Past, Shaping Our Future’ and includes all forms of the creative arts.

Tuesday’s opening unveiled over 50 pieces of visual art of various media and styles from model houses, paintings, drawings, assemblage, papier mache sculptures to fabric and rock art and will be on display until Sunday November 2nd, when the festival ends.

Feature speaker, artiste Vonnie Roudette told the audience that art has been proven to facilitate learning in all forms and improve cognitive and analytical skills so the young artists should be encouraged and supported.

“Students gravitate towards the visual and performance arts, these areas provide an outlet for creativity, self expression and individual awareness,” said Chief Education Officer Susan Dougan.

The students who participated were presented with certificates. The Girls’ High School and the Calder Government School submitted the most pieces in their respective categories while the Lowman’s Leeward Anglican School, the lone school from the Leeward area, submitted one piece.

Jeremy King, a ten-year-old student of the Dorsetshire Government School submitted a model house titled ‘Jeremy’s House’. The piece was detailed and eye catching and Jeremy, who aspires to be an accountant, said that he was inspired by his love of art and architecture

On Wednesday, the programme featured indigenous and traditional dances and on Thursday there was drumming, theatre, story telling and poetry. Later today, an evening of music featuring local artistes, a string band and quatro music will be held. Tomorrow, there will be a grand children’s fair with traditional activities, toys and games. Sunday will be a traditional Sunday Market day.