An all girls group of students, from Campus B of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, turned out some beautiful pottery vessels and other objects following a three-week workshop organised by the National Council of Women. The training was undertaken by Patrick Hall, a Potter of Jamaica.

Students, Women Council members, Trainer and others

President of the Women’s Council, Ernie Hodge-Carty, speaking at the closing ceremony of the pottery and ceramics workshop last Friday, August 14, said it was the fifth year that her organisation had held the training sessions and made an impression on the lives of young people.

She acknowledged sponsorship from Digicel, Mr. Low Price, Anguilla Social Security Board, Joe Vanterpool’s Water Services and Ashley Brooks & Sons. She was grateful to the parents, for their support, and the trainer, Patrick Hall.

Principal Assistant Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office, Kenneth Hodge, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Gender Affairs, congratulated the National Council of Women for its initiative. He said the Ministry had readily given its support for the purchase and importation of clay from Miami as a means of facilitating the workshop and in the interest of the young people involved in the craft work.

He was amazed at the high quality of the finished products. “I think initiatives like this need to be commended and encouraged because as small this is, the display speaks volumes about what we can do in Anguilla in providing opportunities for the development of skills,” he remarked. “You will be surprised to know that in other islands these little things turn into big industries. We are talking about developing our tourist industry and these are the kinds of things that tourists like to see and take back with them. I think you should continue to develop these skills on the island… because it is indeed nation-building.”

Deputy Director of Social Security, Maglan Richardson, congratulated the National Council of Women for its interest in developing arts and crafts on the island. She was pleased about the sponsorship of Social Security for the past five years and the involvement of other sponsors since then. "The pieces are lovely and I commend the children on their work,” she added, noting however that there was a need for a group of boys to join the girls in developing the art form in Anguilla.

Some of the work of the students

Patrick Hall said it was a pleasure for him to have worked with the students. “I enjoyed teaching them and was pleased with their dedication and hard work,” he stated. He told The Anguillian that he learnt pottery in Jamaica where he operated his own business and frequently travelled to other islands to teach the skill. This was his fourth working visit to Anguilla including a teaching stint with Devonish Art Gallery.

The Vote of Thanks was delivered by second form student Vernelle Hughes who described the workshop as “a good experience.”

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