“Art is the Queen of all sciences communicating knowledge to all the generations of the world,” (Leonardo da Vinci.)

Ever since I can remember, there has been a push in schools to make sure children know reading, writing, arithmetic and science. Of course, these areas are essential for one to become a functioning member of society. But I have said many times that if you take away the arts, what will be left to write about? I have never proclaimed to be an artist or writer but, by my formal education, I have studied art and literature to the highest degree.

Since I can remember, art and literature have sparked, within me, emotions of joy, laughter, sadness, jubilation and serenity. I have the deepest respect for the ones who create art, music, literature and above all, those who teach it. The topic of this edition of Celebration of Youth is Michelle Owen-Vasilis and the positive strides she is making in the Anguillian community with art.

Pablo Picasso, the great Spanish artist, said, “all children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” Although it is difficult to predict what a child will eventually become when he or she grows up, it is quite easy to present a child with many options and activities that will help them become better-rounded. Michelle Owen-Vasilis is a local artist and an interior designer who owns and operates the Palm Garden Art Studio in North Hill. For the past five years, she has been conducting art classes for children. She accepts students as young as three years of age and has taught as old as 12. She teaches everything from the basics of art to even art history in which she covers the most influential artists and their particular styles. She also focuses on certain techniques that range from, but are not limited to, colour theory, in which the children learn about primary colours and the creation of secondary colours by way of mixing. She focuses on shading techniques highlighting dark and light tones. Craft making is emphasized and it encompasses many different types of art work from sewing to puppet making and puppet theatre.

Michelle mentioned that this is an ongoing program at her studio and there are no requirements or prerequisites for any child to join. The class is once a week on Saturdays from 10 am-12 pm. She also initiates special art camps when the children are on holiday during the summer, Christmas and Easter. Some of the students that are currently enrolled are Kyiv and Nandi Edwards, Janelle Buffonge, Elizabeth Orchard, Xander Owen-Vasilis, Benajah Harrigan, Isabel Curtis and Pierson and Parker Bogar.

Michelle also informed me that she will be donating her time and supplies to the Central Christian School in Rey Hill to help fundraise for the new school. She will be teaching an art class as an after school program from 3:15-4:00 in which she will teach many of the same aspects of art that were mentioned before. At the moment, this particular class is only available for children enrolled in the school and there has already been 20 children registered.

I applaud the efforts of Michelle and wish her the best in her teaching endeavours. She commented that all of the children enrolled in her private class at the Palm Garden Art Studio are high achievers not only in the classroom but in their extra curricular activities as well. With that being said, I would like to further explain that any exercise in the world of the arts has been proven to enhance ones abstract and critical thinking skills which, in turn, improves overall brain functioning.

Finally, I encourage all of my readers to sign up children who are interested in learning about art as I am sure that we all want our children to be creative and be able to express themselves in positive ways and this is an excellent opportunity to channel their energy. If you or someone you know is interested, please call Michelle at 235-8492.

| Printer-friendly page | Send this article to a friend |

World News