A month of exciting and fun-filled workshops came to an end on 27th July 2018, culminating five of the Department of Youth and Culture’s annual, colourful exhibitions. The pottery camp, which was facilitated by Melsadis Fleming and the calypso camp, facilitated by Andrew ‘Baker Jr’ Richardson and Angela ‘Singing Angie’ Ruan, lasted for a full three weeks; Music Revolution Programme, facilitated by Darius James, lasted two weeks, while the culinary camp, led by Christine Benta and Charmaine Rey-Richardson and the drum camp, led by Jaiden Fleming, only lasted a week each. Despite the differences in duration, there was an abundance of knowledge, talent and creativity showcased throughout.
The pottery camp was one where students were able to learn the basics of shaping and forming clay and other materials into items of their choosing, such as vases, bowls, figurines, etc. Mrs. Fleming then allowed the students to paint their work to make the pieces even more unique and appealing. The scene at the exhibition was quite vibrant and the students’ artistic talent was put on full display for their parents and other visitors to see.
Andrew Richardson, best known as Baker Jr, used his calypso camp to, not only give students the opportunity to write their own calypsos, but to teach them about the roots of calypso music, and how it started. The calypso camp ended with the budding calypsonians performing their calypsos to the general public during an exhibition at English Rose Restaurant followed by their appearance at the Calypso Tent held in the ANGLEC Parking lot.
The students of the Music Revolution Program were lucky enough to have had the opportunity to work alongside Darius James at the Anguilla Music Academy and other producers from the Grammy Music Awards. They learnt to make songs and were taught other skills such as quick thinking, teamwork, organisational skills and others. They also learnt how music engineers create beats using software, such as “Logic” and how artists come up with the lyrics to many of today’s hit songs.
Christine Benta’s culinary camp explored various culinary techniques and foods from different parts of the world such as Mexico, Italy and Morocco and even foods from right here in Anguilla. During the exhibition, Christine asked the students a few food-related questions which they answered with great ease. Afterwards, parents were allowed to taste the delicious foods that their children had prepared in the kitchen throughout the week.
Jaiden’s students at the drum camp were taught some of the basics of drumming such as the names of the different drums in a drum set and even how to drum along to a few songs. At the exhibition, which was held in the Campus B quadrangle, both the beginners and intermediate classes drummed alongside each other and showcased what Jaiden taught them.
Even though July’s camps have ended, August promises even more fun-filled activities with more camps such as the Marine Heritage which begins on the 27th August, Art and Design which begins on the 13th and Music Production which starts on the 20th. The Department of Youth and Culture wishes to thank the parents and students for registering for the July camps and hope that the youngsters will enjoy the upcoming camps just as much as those that have ended.
– Press Release
