This week, the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (NAGB) opened its most recent exhibition – a body of works showcasing the talents of campers, ages five to 15, from the first session of the NAGB’s Mixed Media Art Summer Camp. Held in the Project Space room at the NAGB, the show offers a sampler of the camp’s range of art forms and the campers’ respective talents and skills developed over the camp’s three weeks.

The first session of the camp kicked off on June 22 and ran until July 9. Each day, campers attended lessons led by discerning artists and dedicated volunteers.

Multimedia artist Jordanna Kelly worked with groups to create collage installations using paint pantones while book artist and printmaker Sonia Farmer showed campers how to create their own books. Noted artist and COB art instructor Derek Paul led his classes in experimenting with a variety of painting techniques, and artist and filmmaker Jackson Petit got campers started on painting still-lifes. NAGB Curatorial Trainee and artist Natalie Willis and Petit teamed up to give a workshop in digital media while artist and Junkanoo costume designer Smith took a grassroots approach, giving campers the opportunity to create their own masks and Junkanoo skirts. For many of the participants, the camp offered a chance to experiment for the first time with sculpture and clay, as they built works with ceramicist Spurgeonique Morley. In between there were fun and fresh activities, some of which led to the production of remarkable work.

Now, the efforts of camp faculty, staff and participants can be appreciated in the group show.

Curated by Averia Wright, in coordination with Abby Smith, the show’s aim is to exhibit at least one art work from each camper. The Mixed Media Art Summer Camp has also sought to encourage campers to consider creative avenues of employment, and the exhibition serves as an opportunity for young artists to have their work displayed in a national forum. It comes at a time when Celebrating 40 Years of the Central Bank: A Pillar of Arts Commitment is on display at the NAGB.

Celebrating 40 Years of the Central Bank showcases works from Central Bank’s extensive art collection, many of which were collected from the winners of the bank’s high school and open category competitions. Through its competitions, the bank has sought to encourage growth in younger artist generations. Participants are given the opportunity to see what their peers are doing artistically, compete for prize money to fund art studies and see their work displayed publicly.

“The kids get an opportunity to exhibit at our gallery, so they have the chance at a young age to say ‘I’ve exhibited at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas’. It gives them a sense of pride and work ethic,” said the camp’s director, Abby Smith.

The exhibition can be viewed at the NAGB from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Locals are invited to visit the NAGB free of charge, as Central Bank of The Bahamas has committed to covering the cost of admission for Bahamians and residents throughout the month of July.

To find out more about the NAGB, visit it online at nagb.org.bs or call 328-5800.