Art workshop

A total of 25 primary and secondary students took time during this school holiday to join a workshop organised by the Fiji Arts Council.

The workshop, aimed at enhancing art and craft skills of young artists, hosted students from in and around Lautoka for three days.

Fiji Arts Council director Maciusela Raitaukala said students showed up in numbers and the art lessons were conducted by visual artist Mere Rasue. Lessons included painting, crafting and weaving aimed to trigger the artistic side of participants.

“I believe that this is something that we’re seriously considering. Not only to have classes for visual arts, but also other forms of art,” he said.

“We have been liaising with our visual artists all around Fiji and because two of these art classes have already been conducted in Suva we decided to bring it to the west and then the north soon.

“It has been difficult to get in touch with the Ministry of Education to collaborate, but that’s why we chose to conduct the workshop during the school break. “Hopefully after this, more different types of art classes would be introduced in both primary and secondary schools.

I believe art, of all forms, is something that needs to be looked at more especially teaching the younger generation.”

Parent Milika Marshall said she brought her grandson.

“Art is something I totally agree with because I think it’s something Lautoka needs and workshops like this gives children an avenue to explore deeper into creativity.

I must say the Fiji Arts Council is playing a vital role when hosting workshops as such,” she said.