With the celebration of Anguilla Day, just a week from now, a presentation called “Oh Anguilla”, involving children from the six primary schools, should be included in the programme.
This is the view of a number of parents and other members of the public who witnessed the special presentation during the Art in Motion event at the Orealia Kelly Primary School on Saturday, May 17. The annual event forms part of an awareness and practical learning social and cultural programme in the schools.
The participating young girls, in the presentation, made their appearances in dresses which featured the national colours of Anguilla and were made by Teachers Charla Hobson and Alice Gumbs in cooperation with the children and their parents. Sponsored by the Education Department, the modelling of the national colours drew much applause from the spectators.
Ms Sandra Fahie, Education Officer (Curriculum), said modelling was a segment of the annual Art in Motion event now in its fifth year. There were a number of other modelling shows involving male and female students. The modelling included top hats made by the children from recycled material; belts under the title: used, reused, recycled; Savannah around-the- world bag parade – featuring the national colours of various countries – with the assistance of Frank Costin of Savannah Art Gallery; tie and dye garments done by the students; and formal wear featuring the work of Charla Hobson.
The annual Art in Motion event also has a creative music programme component which was introduced in the schools by the Education Department at the start of the current school year. “The thinking behind it is that we want to create a love for music in our students very early,” Ms Fahie explained.
“The programme actually utilises unconventional instruments. In some cases the students use instruments made from whatever can make a sound, and some of them are commercial instruments. Mr Gordon Hazell is the key person behind the programme which was initially started by Judith Guthrie. She was the lone person doing the programme in the schools, over the years, and has decided that somebody younger should carry on the initiative. She has been coaching Mr Hazell who now travels to all the primary schools coaching the students from kindergarten to grade six.”
Like the modelling, hosted by Dr O M Linda Banks, the music segment of the Art in Motion event, conducted by Mr Hazell, was well applauded by the teachers, parents and other members of the public in attendance.
