Art at Maritzburg College isn’t just about how well you can draw. It is about enhancing thinking skills and developing the ability to come up with creative solutions to different tasks.
Art Club is a wonderful opportunity to be artistic without having to worry about marks. We draw, paint, print, and even develop the skill of welding in sculpture. Like life, making art is supposed to be fun. In Art Club, we spend our afternoons realising we are great at the art of being creative.
There is also a strange stigma associated with those who take art at school. Some parents are fearful when they hear their son say he is going to take Art. They picture him becoming an artist: creative but with questions around his employability. It is quite the opposite. Usually, those who decide they are going to become full-time fine artists become one regardless of what anyone tells them. Artists are tricky that way. Being an artist isn’t a right because you’re creative; it’s a gift that you must nurture in order for it to be of service to the world.
Art Club is a way of making art where there aren’t all the pressures. It is also interesting to see what boys come up with when they’re not given a topic or curriculum. Art Club is an important space for the boys to share their feelings in a safe and creative environment.
Under proficient instruction from the Art Department staff at Maritzburg College, boys are guided in their ability to create art for themselves and for exhibition. This gives them the chance to open their work up for critique and evaluation by the local art community with pride.
Boys’ art is showcased around the school to celebrate special occasions like Human Rights Day. They get a chance to show off their talent at portrait drawing demonstrations which happen during festivals. The matric art exhibition is a highlight of our calendar where the best work of the boys’ Form 5 and 6 years is displayed at a gala event. We take part in other exhibitions such as the Matric Art exhibition at the Tatham art gallery and the Art@Kearsney Festival, as well as submitting works for publication in the Art Times magazine.
Art boys go on excursions to view art galleries, museums, and rock art sights. Artists are also invited to give workshops at the school in specialisations such as screen-printing and etching.
In this way, we aim to bring art into the lives of all College boys, enhancing and enriching their learning environment. Art Club is the perfect addition to the day for boys whose subject choice package does not include the Arts. For those who take Art as a subject, this is a chance to enjoy Art at leisure and to diversify artistic skills to truly explore their talents.
