There are some amazingly beautiful charcoal drawings by students at Ani Art Academies in Anguilla which are not only worth seeing and purchasing, but which also qualify for galleries abroad.
That is why Mr Timothy Jahn, the Head Instructor, and the twenty-three students, called apprentices, held an open house function several days ago. The event attracted a large number of spectators who admired the artwork and applauded the apprentices and the school.
The Anguillian was able to have an interview with Mr Jahn as he mingled among the pressing crowd. “It is our 2015 Open House, displaying the most recent work by the Ani Art Academies apprentices, as they progress through our programme,” he stated. “They are very excited to show their progress and share their work with the community of Anguilla. Most of the students are at different stages of the programme, and some of them have been with me from since we started, about three years, and others have only been here for about six months. So we have a very wide range.”
He said the teaching programme should take about three years, depending on how fast the apprentices work through their assignments.
“We have to have everybody finish their assignments to the proper level before they move on, so it may take a little bit longer for some people,” he explained. “Once they finished their drawing programme, we will bring them to the painting curriculum and, as they go on, galleries in different places in the United States or Europe will look at their work to assess it, represent them, and sell their work. Several of the students are participating in a show in New York City in April, as well as several will also be participating in a show in Pennsylvania later on in the year. We already have people from Anguilla represented in the United States – at very, very high level galleries – showing their work and sharing what they are doing.”
Mr Jahn was asked about the aim of Ani Art Academies. He responded: “It is virtually to bring the ability of the students to draw to an extremely high level; and open them up to a lot of different options career wise. That is whether to sell their work to tourists in Anguilla or deal with some of the really good and higher galleries throughout the world. They can also take their work into advertising and magazines…We teach the fundamental things that would allow them to go on in those avenues.”
The Head Art Instructor continued: “I have twenty-three students now, but I don’t have any graduates yet. I can only take twenty-five. Persons can apply to the school online at Ani Art Academies.org; fill out the application form and call for an interview. Those who want to work towards a degree, as artists, are who I am looking for. The school is free. We cover their tuition, supplies and we provide lunch for those who work a fulltime day at the school.”
If everything is free, on the basis of scholarships, what does Ani Art Academies get out of the training programme?
Mr Jahn provides that answer. “We don’t get anything,” he replied. “We are putting something out there in the world. Tim Reynolds, the owner of Ani Art Academies, is doing this worldwide for people. He is helping Anguilla and different places so that persons can really get to see some really beautiful artwork and experience some great things.”
Among the budding artists, whose work was on display, were Mrs Mary Smith with her three-dimensional drawings, Aheem Lang and Romaro Richardson, and Pastor Dexter Welcome with a drawing depicting the Music Man – Omari Banks.
