Young talent showcased at Kids Art Corner

Sri Lanka’s largest open air art fair, Kala Pola, came alive with vibrancy and creativity on the 26 and 27 January 2013. Art enthusiasts flocked to admire and procure some of the best art in the country as artists and art lovers came together in appreciation of true talent.

This year’s Kala Pola saw the introduction of a novel initiative; the first-ever ‘Kids Art Corner’ at the event. Created and executed by Cinnamon Grand, in conjunction with the John Keells CSR Foundation and George Keyt Foundation, the initiative was a tribute to the talents of budding young artists (aged six to 14 years) in Sri Lanka, giving them the opportunity to exhibit their artistic masterpieces.

Held on Saturday 26 January, the Kids Art Corner hosted three segments this year, specifically, the Kids Art Exhibition and Sale, Art with a Heart, and Paint your Pottery. With Cinnamon Grand associates volunteering to implement the events for the cause, the Kids Art Corner saw more than 100 paintings exhibited and more than 95 kids at the Pottery Workshop, with all revenue made from sales given to the artists.

The Kids Art Exhibition and Sale and Art with a Heart saw the submission of over 150 paintings, out of which selection and pricing was carried out by expert curators from the renowned Saskia Fernando Art Gallery.  Chosen paintings were put for exhibition and sale at the colourful corner where young talent flourished.

Art with a Heart saw the exhibition and sale of art done by underprivileged and differently-abled kids. This beautiful display boasted impressive creations that showcased the hidden brilliance of these children, in the face of adversity.

Notably, a selection of paintings done by children from the Nobuchi children’s homes as well as submissions from the Cerebral Palsy Foundation and the MJF Charitable Foundation adorned the walls of the Art with a Heart stall.

Nearly Rs. 50,000 in sales was secured at the Kids Art Corner by sales of paintings and full proceedings from the sales will be given to the artists, in both the Kids Art Exhibition and Sale and Art with a Heart, so as to encourage and inspire the artists to develop and pursue their aptitudes.

Meanwhile, over 95 children got messy at the Kids Art Corner at the ‘Paint your Pottery’ sessions. Held in two free session, with the sole intention of education and encouraging creativity, the pottery sessions saw experts from ‘The Pottery Shop,’ where children were thought to make a clay elephant as well as the art of pottery making and painting.

The Kids Art Corner, created with the intention of introducing a trend of appreciating, supporting and encouraging the talent laden within Sri Lanka’s youth, was well received by kids and parents alike.

“Congratulations to the organisers of the Kids Art Corner, which was very well organised. It was a novel concept for Kala Pola, encouraging and cultivating children’s talents and our kids had a great time,” said one parent.

Meanwhile, 11-year-old Safia said that she enjoyed the atmosphere of the Kids Art Corner: “It was the first time I came to a place like this and I was very happy to see paintings by my sister Saara and me on the wall. All the other children had also done beautiful paintings and I had a very good time at the Kids Art Corner. I hope that we can take part again next year.”

Ten-year-old Janith, who participated in the pottery sessions, said: “I had a super time at the pottery workshop and learnt a lot about how pottery is done. I also made my very own clay elephant and painted a till and took it home as a token. It was great fun and I learnt a lot.”

It is safe to say that the inaugural Kids Art Corner proved to be a success and was a feature which added an element of novelty and diversity to the fantastic fair that is Kala Pola, while providing a platform to showcase the brilliance of the Rembrandts of tomorrow!