A student artist with his sculptured masterpiece during the 36th RBC sponsored RBC Summer Arts Workshop for students. (RBC)

For the 36th consecutive year, RBC sponsored the RBC Summer Arts Workshop for students, one of the most well-known arts-related events in The Bahamas. The program has for many years played a pivotal role in the development of young Bahamian artists.

"Some of the leading names in the Caribbean art world have participated in these workshops --often first as students and now as instructors," said Nathaniel Beneby, managing director, RBC Royal Bank, Northern Caribbean.

The annual workshop, planned in partnership with the Ministry of Education's Art and Design Unit, is geared toward 11th grade students who are preparing for the Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) national art examinations and also toward eighth grade students sitting the Bahamas Junior Certificate (BJC) exams. However, the program is open to any student in grades eight through 12 with an interest in art. Teachers coach participants through completion and public exhibition of coursework in two areas -- fine arts, including drawing and painting/graphics, and creative craft studies, which includes ceramics, and Junkanoo art.

"The workshops are extremely popular with our students," said Pamela Chandler, director of the Ministry of Education Art and Design Unit and workshop facilitator, noting that the 2016 Workshops were very successful with over 70 young people enrolled. "I have been honored to run the program for over a decade and I must commend RBC's unwavering support of young artists and strong partnership with the Ministry of Education."

This year's workshop was held at Government High School. Instructors for the sessions included Tricene Thurston, Lendrex Ross, Marco Mullings, Minolta Butler, and Kevin Rolle.The program culminated with an exhibition and awards ceremony at the Mall at Marathon where each student artist received a medal along with trophies and a cash prize for top selected art pieces.

"Our support of the workshop helps students hone their skills and showcase their creativity," said Patrice Ritchie, area vice president, New Providence, RBC Royal Bank. "What's more, we believe the next generation of great Bahamian artists will emerge out of this program, bolstering the vitality of our community for years to come. RBC has sponsored the Summer Arts Workshop for over two decades, and to us, this workshop is not just a summer camp. It is an important corporate initiative for RBC. Over the years, leading names in the Caribbean art world have participated. RBC believes in the power of the arts to add to the quality of lives and enhance communities."

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