More than 1,000 works of art were entered into this year’s ELFEST Primary Schools Art Eisteddfod, highlighting the dedication, creativity and passion of teachers and pupils across the region.
The exhibition, hosted at Belgravia Art Centre, featured a wide range of artworks from primary school pupils and culminated in the awarding of the event’s only Triple-Gold accolade to Cambridge Primary grade 3 pupil Elizabeth Tamba for her outstanding sculpture.
The adjudication process included three adjudicators — one for grades 1-3 two-dimensional artworks, one for grades 4-7 two-dimensional artworks, and one for all three-dimensional artworks from grades 1- 7.
While there were numerous Double-Gold Merit Awards presented, only one Triple-Gold Award was awarded.
“The adjudicator felt Elizabeth’s sculpture was technically competent and most skilful for her age, and it expressed a distinctly unique character and striking physical presence.
“This was unanimously agreed upon,” the organisers said.
ELFEST Visual Arts Committee head Rebecca Wheatley told the Go! that art classrooms should encourage creativity and self-expression rather than rely solely on traditional teaching methods.
“They should never follow a purely ’chalk and talk’ approach, but rather be environments where children develop an awareness of the world around them, express themselves freely, share their ideas and opinions, and explore their creativity,” Wheatley said.
She said opportunities for creative expression were increasingly important in today’s world.
“In a fast-paced and ever-changing world filled with challenges, opportunities for meaningful expression, reflection and creative thinking are vital to children’s development and wellbeing.”
Wheatley said the exhibition was made possible through a collaborative effort involving schools, teachers and support staff.
“An exhibition of this calibre and scale can only be achieved through a true collaborative effort. Staff from each participating school assist with the setup and display of the exhibition.
“Considerable time and dedication go into selecting, preparing and presenting the artworks, often requiring teachers to work beyond the normal school day.
“However, the exhibition is much more than a showcase of student artwork.
“It brings together teachers from a wide variety of schools, creating opportunities to share ideas, learn from one another and support each other as colleagues. It is undoubtedly worth the effort.”
She said young children were naturally eager to communicate how they experienced and undersood the world around them.
Marks, lines and colours become creative messages that tell stories about topics ranging from “The Car Mechanic” and “Tiny Town” to self-portraits and personal experiences.
“Themes are intentionally left open-ended, allowing teachers to explore topics that are meaningful and relevant to their learners.
“This results in an exhibition filled with diverse perspectives, rich imagination and authentic expressions of childhood,” she said.
Belgravia Art Centre educator Wendy van Wyk praised Elizabeth’s creativity and originality.
“Elizabeth’s narrative of the character she created is an impressive display of out-of-the-box thinking, showing originality and authenticity,” Van Wyk said.
“She is a smart and happy young person who works hard. Her imagination is endless, her worldview is wide and knows no bounds.
“Elizabeth’s support system, both at Belgravia Art Centre and outside of it, has encouraged her to be the artist that she is.
Belgravia Art Centre principal Terry Schultz said the centre’s part-time junior classes were kept small.
“Learners have the space and facilities to create without limitations, which is so impactful for a learner like Elizabeth who is a confident and enthusiastic adventurer with a naturally creative spirit.
“We hope the public feels the joy of the creative processes evident in the artworks and appreciates the vital importance of art and self-expression for all children,” said Schultz.
Elizabeth said she was thrilled to have her work recognised and was surprised by the response it received.
“I could not believe it. When I was given a task to build a clay sculpture, in my mind I thought of a grandpa being annoyed.
“They are usually angry and don’t like noise. So that was my inspiration,” she said.
Her father, Paul Tamba, said he was immensely proud of his daughter’s achievements, both academically and artistically.
“She is a very meticulous and focused child. Once she sets her mind doing a task, she does it well. She also excels in . . . swimming, chess and running. But art is what excites her the most. She is always colouring something in the house as she easily gets bored, including desks and walls.”
Elizabeth is a member of Belgravia Art Centre’s Junior Part-Time Classes and was recognised for her outstanding artistic talent and creativity.
Picture: SUPPLIED.
