Creative hopeful for a take off in SVG’s Art Industry

The organiser of the Thomas Saunders Secondary School’s (TSSS) Art Exhibition is positive it can open the doors for a much needed change in the art industry in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

Ahead of the exhibition today, May 31, 2024, Shanique Stewart told SEARCHLIGHT on Monday that her group ‘Call Out Nation’ is paving the way for a new generation of art in the country.

Stewart, who heads Call Out Nation, said that they decided to partner with the Thomas Saunders Secondary School (TSSS), to pull off their first ever art exhibition.

“We didn’t want it to be a typical art exhibition where you browse the room and you drink your wine and eat your cheese. That is not suited for kids, I wanted it to be something urban and eccentric.”

Call Out Nation is responsible for painting a number of murals across SVG- The Joshua Centre; Victoria Park; Girls’ High School Bus Stop; and the Arnos Vale Stadium.

The group has been able to earn the trust of businesses which have become sponsors of these events.

Stewart said this will benefit the students, creating new relationships and possible clients, and added that she chooses companies that she knows the students will benefit from.

“It is just for them to create that relationship and build that bond with these companies.” Stewart is adamant that she does not subscribe to the concept of working and not receiving any sort of a compensation, hence the reason she selects partners who will provide some form of compensation.

“I know what it takes to push out that kind of energy to create these projects. When people volunteer their time, you want to be able to provide them with at least the common decency of a meal, and I am not able to do that all the time.”

In addition, Stewart explained that she had trouble sourcing the materials needed for the exhibition which delayed the initial planned date.

“I don’t like projects running for long, but you just have to swallow your pride and just get it done.” On top of that, Stewart mentioned that she is at a phase in the project where she does not mind spending extra to get the work done in time for the art exhibition.

One of the objectives of the exhibition is for the students to realise the value of their work. Additionally Stewart desires for them to use their talent to “become things that I couldn’t have even dreamed of…

“I’m hoping that [with] the attention it gets here, that they would recognise the quality of art”.

The exhibition is being held under the theme, ‘What it Means to Be Seen’. In explaining the reason behind the theme Stewart said, “I want people to be remembered for what they have produced. It is like creating your own legacy…everybody will have a perception of who you are, but I don’t want that, I want them [the students] to have the opportunity to take control of that, write their own story and say, this is me, this is what I am about.”

Apart from the students’ artwork, patrons attending the exhibition at the TSSS, can expect to see murals in the school’s first ever art room, as well as other small features.

Stewart said felt deflated over the exhibition not being open to the public, but some students are currently writing exams and it is a regular school day, which she respects.

“School’s very important and I don’t want any distractions for those students.”

She has urged however, for people to lend more support to young people they may come across doing paintings.

“Just give them a tip, give them motivation, encourage them…it doesn’t have to be the same story for them, we can change things.” Stewart said that there are some persons who had to give up their dreams of art for jobs that are more stable.

Among other things, Stewart said she’s optimistic about seeing the art industry being more than just paintings, adding that most of local art is done in an older fashion.

“Sculpture is my thing, and I am yet to do a sculpture in St Vincent. I would love to see the different types of art…we’re still at the stage of murals and paintings and it’s so limiting because there are so many kids that can do great things.”