While many parents would prefer it if their children pursued careers in medicine, law or science, they are encouraged to nurture their young one’s gifts and provide the necessary encouragement for them to excel in the field of their choice. Heartened by the vision and beauty of the artistic designs displayed by the students of the Naparima Girls High School at the school’s annual Art Exhibition on Wednesday, well known artist and former art teacher Hilma Smith Barnes appealed to parent to support their children’s aspirations.
The designs by the students, among them paintings of parks, flowers, butterflies and houses, were on display at the Visual Art Department. Parents, relatives and well wisher were amazed at the level of work being done by the 16 and 17-year-old students. Barnes, who was charged with critiquing the various drawings and paintings, was full of praise, describing most of the works as being of high standards and indicative of gifted students. “You are lucky to be in a school where your talents and gifts are nurtured. Parents I know you want your children to become doctors and lawyers, but please let them explore there gifts.
“My only wish is that their work here could be exposed to a wider public, so that people can see the beauty of them,” she said. Barnes urged the young artists to engage in sketching portraits of live models, as it would help them to develop their pieces. She said viewers would be able to grasp the feelings in the art if the artist knew the subject, rather than drawing from an already composed image. Vice principal Lynne Jattansingh shared Smith-Barnes’ views on careers in art, adding that from an art platform, students can pursue careers in fashion, architecture, designing and sculpting, among others.
