By Yunus S Saliu
The Arts Department, School of Education, Gambia College in Brikama Thursday, 9th February 2024 held the maiden edition of its Arts Exhibition under the supervision of Ms. RamatoulieSayang, Arts Lecturer of the department.
The well-attended exhibition held at the Brikama Campus brought together not only students but also different dignitaries across Banjul City, Kanifing Municipality, and West Coast Region, which included the Chairman of the Gambia College Governing Council, the Principal and Vice Principal of the College, King of Kora – Dr. Jaliba Kuyateh, Hon. MomodouSabally, Hon. SulaymanJammeh – National Assembly Member for Bundungkakunda, Mr. Sanna B Jarju of NCAC, Ms. Sainabou Mbaye proprietress of SAACS and representatives of Mayor of Banjul City and Kanifing Municipality with other guests from Spain.
This daylong Arts Exhibition was held under the theme – Changing The Narratives of Arts and it was the first of a series of events to showcase the wealth and diversity of skills and talents of students of the Arts Department of the college. Also, it provides a platform for them to tell their own story through creativity, and elevate skill development among youths and students of the college and other schools.
Hon. Momodou Sabally, Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe, Mayor Ahmed Talib Bensouda, and Hon. Sulayman Jammeh National Assembly Member for Bundungkunda among others were presented with beautiful art images of themselves by the students of the Arts Department.
In her opening remark, Ma’am Ramatoulie Sanyang, Art Lecturer of the Department expressed delight saying it was a great joy for the Arts Department of the college to organize the maiden edition of the Arts Exhibition.
This “gives me a great sense of honor as the chairperson of this exhibition and indeed a great joy to the art department to organize this event and invite various schools to be part of this development,” Madam Sanyang, chairperson of the arts exhibition expressed.
She noted that the artworks displayed at the exhibition were “entirely our students’ efforts,” saying they are not experts but interestingly have great and unique thoughts of creativity in their minds which can lead to imaginative creations.
Moving further, she said the young artists have manifested a diversity of creativity and skills in their works which have been inspired by various reflections of creation, such as wall hangers for decorations, paintings in appreciation of nature, candleworkdesign for beautification, photography for communication and interpretation, wax and textile design, and other craftworks.
Mr. Sanna B Jarju, Performing Officer at the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Guest speaker at the exhibition centered his speech on the theme of the exhibition. He dilated on contemporary art, Intangible Cultural Heritages (ICH), and its domains. Also, he expatiated on the benefit of arts while giving the roles of NCAC, achievements, and support for the artists and as well outlined its activities.
The principal of the college, head of Gambia College Arts Department, Dr. Jaliba Kuyateh were among other people that delivered remarkable speeches at the exhibition which was puntuated with different drama series, poems, and cultural performances.
