Last week, the NAGB team said a sorrowful farewell to Alan Wallace’s vibrant mural that adorned the face of the gallery’s annex for two years. Painted by the popular artist and participants of the 2013 National Art Gallery Summer camp, the mural was a lively reminder of ways younger generations can contribute to the development of national institutions and the beautification of public spaces.
This year, the NAGB Mixed Media Art Summer Camp has the pleasure of offering a public space to artist AJ Watson, who is known for using his large-scale paintings to advocate for socially progressive causes. This summer, though, Watson has visions of transforming the gallery’s outdoor wall-space into something to be appreciated by people from all walks of life.
“It will be a pop-style kind of piece, like what Roy Lichtenstein did but a little bit more urban,” he explained.
A New York-born pop artist now deceased, Roy Lichtenstein is probably best remembered by his bright, comic-style works parodying American pop culture. Another fresh and energetic visual is precisely what the gallery is looking for to engage its campers in a new art form and intrigue visitors. Putting out a call to artists for mural proposals in March, the gallery welcomed submissions reflecting the summer camp’s kid and community-friendly theme.
Answering the call, Watson hoped his design would excite campers, who will be helping him paint it, while promoting accessibility to art and local talent. A noted muralist, Watson credits his early start in illicit graffitiing with his current-day affinity for oversized works. An advocate for accessibility to artwork, Watson’s murals are scattered throughout New Providence; one of his most popular ones is located on Mackey Street, across from Rosetta Street.
“I like painting large-scale and its public, so that’s good. A lot of people will see it, and it’s good exposure,” he said.
He added: “I think there should be more large-scale murals and more artwork that’s more accessible to everyone.”
This fits in well with the NAGB’s “community first” motto – a mission statement reflecting the gallery’s commitment to transcending social barriers and broadening the Bahamian art movement’s impact throughout the country and world.
“I just want to have a good time and let the kids have a good time and paint something that’s worth looking at in the end,” he said.
The NAGB Mixed Media Art Summer Camp is open to kids ages five to 15 with an interest in art. Camp will be held Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The first session of the NAGB Mixed Media Art Summer Camp will run from June 22 to July 9, and the second will run from July 13 to 31. To register, contact Abby Smith at asmith@nagb.org.bs or Corinne Lampkin at clampkin@nagb.org.bs, or call 3285800.
Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian
