As part of its YAW Project, the Gozo College has put up an exhibition entitled ‘Characteristics of Gozo’. As the name entails, students attending the various schools in Gozo, from primary to secondary level, were invited to submit drawings and paintings representing their perceptions of the various unique characteristics of the island of Gozo. The Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, officially inaugurated this exhibition, earlier today, at the Cittadella Centre for Arts, Culture and Crafts managed by the Department for Culture within the Ministry for Gozo.

The Young Artists’ Work project was launched by the Gozo College in order to enhance the formative artistic process of Gozitan students from the initial stages of their education up to the end of secondary school. In this regard this project also aims to synergise the roles of the two parapatetic art teachers offering their services at all primary state schools in Gozo together with those of the four art teachers deployed at the Agius de Soldanis Girls’ Secondary school and the Ninu Cremona Boys’ Secondary school in Victoria. Apart from offering uniformity and continuity in the teaching of art, this project also targeted the community’s participation in school activities to provide for better understanding of the methods of teaching used within the Gozo College, particularly with regards to this subject. This, within the context of the motto of the Gozo College, ‘Working together achieving together,’ as explained by Gozo College principal, Chev. Frank Gatt, who also dwelt on the importance of enhancing the creative potential of our learners from the very start and of tapping their different intelligencies, learning styles and patterns.

The Minister for Gozo praised this initiative taken by the Principal and teachers at Gozo College. The Minister also expressed her appraisal of the level of some of the works presented at this exhibition, which in a way also reflect the increase of interest in art and culture which has been strongly manifested within Gozitan society during the past years. Hon. Debono explained how the Ministry for Gozo has given ongoing support both to the educational as well as the cultural sectors on the island in acknowledgement of the strong influence of education, art and culture on society’s development. Gozo is blessed with a wealth of artistic talent and the innumerable art exhibitions frequently held on this island are ample proof of this.

The work involved in the organisation of the YAW Project and setting up of this exhibition was shared by all teachers and art students involved, under the co-ordination of Mr Lino Xerri, Art Teacher at the Kan G F Agius de Soldanis Girls’ Secondary school. Visitors can appreciate the different levels reached by students whose age varies from 6 to 16 years in around 80 works of art at this exhibition. Different media such as acrylics, water colours, and pencils were used on different support mainly canvas and paper.

‘Young Artists’ Work’ featuring ‘Characteristics of Gozo’ will run between the 4th and 11th April 2008 at the Cittadella Centre for Arts, Culture and Crafts within the Citadel Fortifications in Gozo.