Ekurhuleni inspires aspiring artists
On Saturday, the Advertiser visited the Ekurhuleni Art Development School, which is one of three programmes initiated by the city, in order to develop artistic talent, nurture it, and exhibit it at the Springs Art Gallery.
Palesa Mwale (27) is the art teacher who facilitates the classes, and joined the programme a year ago, to fulfil her passion of art and teaching young children in particular.
She explains that the programme is a government initiative, in which the government provides the materials, coursework, and funding for the classes to run effectively and efficiently.
“This is a government initiative, which is aimed at expanding and enhancing local talent and add to the artistic skills of our learners,” says Mwale.
The curriculum of this programme entails painting, drawing, and other various elements that are encompassed in fine arts.
“I try to focus on different aspects of the learners’creativity,” says Mwale, “and to get them to reflect on the week they have had, and express it through their work.”
The classes start at 9.30am to 11.30am every Saturday, and they are open to all age groups who wish to participate and have their artwork exhibited as part of the gallery’s exhibition.
Each week the focus of the class is different and emphasises developing a particular skill set.
“This week, the focus is on interpreting sound through visuals such as line and colour,” explains Mwale.
Mwale further explains during her lesson that she puts on theme music which must then be meditated on and interpreted by her learners through visuals, as a way to explain the emotive impact such music has on them.
Mwale say she resonates with this particular programme for many reasons, but particularly because she herself started her career in art through similar programmes, from a very young age.
“I started studying and learning about art through community initiatives such as this one whilst growing up,” she explains.
Mwale’s secondary education was completed through the east Rand School of The Arts, and she later pursued her tertiary education in fine art at the Tshwane University of Technology – all of which has now led her to teaching art, while pursuing her own body of work as a professional artist.
“I am passionate about working with children, and that is where I draw most of my inspiration from,” says Mwale.
She believes that by exposing children to the world of art, she can unleash their artistic voices, and allow them to find expression and comfort through that platform.
“The best way for children to grow up to be stable adults is for them to be able to truly express themselves,” says Palesa, “and art allows them to do that. Children should be able to breathe through it.”
She affirms that the solutions to all of life’s problems are found through art, and the use of it to communicate and interpret life.
“The purpose of art, and my personal goal, is to allow people to reflect on life, and to use those reflections to inspire their artworks, while allowing them to express their authentic selves,” says Mwale.
