Grange students showcase talent at Didi Museum

Grange School, with its culture of continuous improvement, has ended the presentation of its fourth edition of Artists-in-Residence 2016 in conjunction with Didi Museum, Lagos.

With the theme ‘Bridging the Gap’ with Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya, it was the culmination of almost six weeks leading of creative young minds of the school through a journey of exploration, ingenuity and creativity that has produced different types of artistic works at the exhibition.

Onobrakpeya, who was delighted with the creative strengths and passion the young talented pupils exuded during the course of the programme, also commended staff of Grange School for allowing such creativity to thrive among its students.

He noted, “I commend very highly the performance of the selected students in the project. They were excited and very involved in the different processes of creating and drawing out multiple art works from the templates.

“I am sure that by now they recognize that printmaking is both artistic and scientific and that it also lends itself to experimentation which is at the root of modern developments”.

Onobrakpeya also advised parents to continue to encourage their children who have interest in arts because of its potential in yielding continuous dividends whether they make it a profession or not and the fact that it can bring fame to the family. He called on government to put up infrastructure for artists and for individuals and corporate groups to help children with funds that would enable then continue interactive and instructive programmes at the Harmattan Workshop Series which had in the past benefitted both young and old.

Principal and Chief Executive, Grange School, Graham Stothard, said the school, in addition to pursuit of academics, also encourages children who are artistically, musically inclined, among others gifted, to showcase their talents in line with western culture.

“We know that some Nigerian parents emphasise on academics, especially sciences and mathematics but what we do is to emphasise to their children of 21st century learners and 21st century citizens of the importance of arts. Part of my role in Grange is to get them ready for the next stage of life in line with what obtains in the western world such as England, America, Canada, among others.

“Parents should open their doors and minds to appreciate culture, history in addition to academics”.

Head of Department and Deputy Faculty Head for Creative and Performing Arts, Onajobi Olumide Emmanuel, said the school has the culture of encouraging children identified with innate ability to be artistic.
Seventh grade Olaseni Adekeye said he developed interest in drawing and is delighted to continue for the purpose of additional income in future.

Akinyanbola Bolaji, who intends to be an architecture, said she would continue to draw to contribute to his career in future. Onyema Onyinye described her development in the arts as a gift from God and hopes to be a lawyer, an author and an illustrator.