News Releases

UWI Art Students Launch Exhibition at National Museum

For Release Upon Receipt - May 8, 2008

St. Augustine


On Sunday 4th May, 2008, the Visual Arts Unit of The University of the West Indies (UWI) Department of Creative and Festival Arts (DCFA) launched “ART and AESTHETICS 2008”, the exhibition by its 2008 graduating class. The launch, which took place at the National Museum and Art Gallery, Port of Spain, introduced new works of art, design, sculpture, installations, animation and new media from 36 final-year students of the University’s Visual Arts programme.

The event, which was chaired by Mr. Kenwyn Crichlow, Coordinator of the Visual Arts programme, attracted several high profile members of the University community, including Dr. Pat Bishop, who lectures at the DCFA, and Prof. Rhoda Reddock, Head of the Centre for Gender and Development Studies and newly appointed Deputy Principal of UWI St Augustine. Mr. Vel Lewis, Curator of National Museum, was also in attendance.

Addressing an audience which also included Leroy Clarke, Roger Boothman, Carlisle Harris, Bill Trotman and other members of the artistic community, Mr. Satanand Sharma, Head of the DCFA, pointed to the wider significance of artistic endeavour to the arrangement of human civilisation.

“Usually today the process of rational decision-making involves a cycle of formulation of aims, goals, objectives with clearly defined outcomes or end results, from which means are formulated, implemented, and then outcomes are evaluated. The ends are determined and fixed and then the means are developed. In the arts ends may follow means, the process is paramount allowing for that element of exploration, discovery, opening up the learner for that element of uncertainty, surprise … that “Eureka!” moment which then reveals the learning outcomes or the ends. The processes or means define the ends.”

A brief presentation was also made by Ms. Candace Henry, who spoke on behalf of Visual Arts students.

The exhibition is scheduled to run until May 18th, 2008. A Video & Animation presentation is scheduled to take place on Friday 9th May, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at the National Museum and Art Gallery, Port of Spain, while a Certificate Student Exhibition is carded for Sunday 11th – 18th May, 2008 at the Creative Arts Centre, Gordon Street, St. Augustine.

For more information, please contact Marissa Brooks, Department of Creative and Festival Arts at (868) 662 2002 Ext. 3792 or Marissa.Brooks@sta.uwi.edu, or visit the UWI St Augustine Campus Events Calendar at http://www.sta.uwi.edu/news/ecalendar .

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