Kala Pola celebrates 20 years by opening doors to talented children

Friday, 18 January 2013 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka’s largest open air art fair ‘Kala Pola’ gives kids a chance to shine this year, in celebration of its 20 anniversary. Introducing the inaugural ‘Kids Art’, an exhibition and sale of the masterpieces done by budding young artists, between the age of six and 14, the event celebrates the artistic talents of children.

Organised by the John Keells Group and George Keyt foundation, the ‘Kala Pola’ presents an array of creations by local painters and sculptors for art lovers and enthusiasts alike to meet the artists, study, admire and purchase their work, should they wish, in a day full of vibrancy.

This year, the pola will devote a special kids corner to showcase and sell the art of gifted children, so as to introduce a trend of appreciating, supporting and encouraging the talent laden within Sri Lanka’s youth.

The ‘Kids Art’ corner will hold three activities specifically tailored to hone children’s artistic skills, namely, a kid’s art exhibition and sale, ‘Art with a heart’ and ‘Paint your pottery’, presented by ‘The pottery shop.’

‘Kala Pola’ beckons all promising artists, between the ages of six and 14 to register now to stand a chance to have your work exhibited and up for sale at the inaugural ‘Kids Art’ corner.

All submissions will be evaluated by a panel of judges and short-listed for display.

Selected works will be exhibited at the event and artists will receive a certificate of participation. Registration must be done on or before 21 January 2013.

One child can enter a maximum of two paintings, which must be done on an A3 sketch pad art board. The selected works will be displayed at the Kids Art corner at Kala Pola for viewing and sale and if sold, all proceedings will go to the artist.

‘Art with a heart’ calls on those who care, to support differently abled and under privileged children by visiting the Kids art corner and boosting their talents.

Their work will be on sale should you wish to pick one or two and all proceedings from sales will go to the artist. Notably, 10 children from the Cerebral Palsy Lanka foundation will be displaying their art at the event.

Paint your pottery

‘Paint your pottery’ invites kids to learn the art of pottery from the experts at the renowned ‘The pottery shop’ and have fun making and painting their very own creation.

These sessions are free of charge and materials will be provided, held with the sole intention of imparting and encouraging artistic practices. Kids who wish to partake must also register as seats are limited.

This year’s ‘Kala Pola’ will be held on 26 and 27 January at the Nelum Pokuna Mawatha (formerly Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha), near the Colombo Art Gallery, where the street sidewalks will surge with vibrancy and creativity once again, bringing talented artists, sculptors and art lovers together on a common platform.

The Kids Corner will be on Saturday 26January, from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and two free pottery sessions will be on from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Those who wish to attend the free pottery sessions must also register on or before 21 January 2013, as seat are limited and will be given on a first come, first serve basis.

For registration call Shehan or Inthikhab on 011 2 497 203.