Moving Circle Arts

ART CENTER.
St. Cuthbert`s Mission


INTRODUCTION
George Simon, in 1988, organised a one month workshop in painting, drawing, sculpture and ceremics at St. Cuthbert`s Mission. A group of twenty men, women and children attended the work-shop. Where they were encouraged to develop their talents.

After that initial introduction to art, many of the paricipants developed their skills in sculpture. They continued to work and brought their finished pieces made from rear woods, for critcism. George Simon at that time worked and live in Georgetown, but he visited the village regularly to meet with his students.The group work consistantly and produced quality work He proposed an exhibition in Georgetown.

In 1991 the group`s first exhibition was held at the Hadfield Foundation.. The works of 6 artist were featured on the ocassion.

The artists continue to work and exhibit their works at annual exhibitions. Works by Oswald Hussein and Lynus Clenkien have been baught for the National Collection.

Sculptures by the St.Cuthberts artists can be found in local and international collection.


GENERAL OBJECTIVES
A space where art work is featured and is accessible to all
A place of learning
A training Center for Fine arts.
A center for the revival of the Lokono Culture
A center for the promotion of the performing arts
An assembly point for artists
A work place
A training center
A showroom/gallery


INTERNAL FUNCTIONING
All visitors are welcome
The center will have a display area which will be opened to all
Visitors will be given a guided tour of the facility
Visitors will be given a guided tour of the village if necessary to meet practicing
Artists


LIST OF ARTISTS
Oswald Hussain Sculptor,Winner of 2 National Awards for Sculpture
Lynus Clenkien Sculptor
Telford Taylor Sculptor
Roland Taylor Sculptor
Foster Simon Sculptor
Edwin Clenkien Sculptor
Lealand Clenkien Sculptor



ARTISTIC PERSPECTIVES
The Center will promote Amerindian Culture and Art
The center will be available to train Amerindian Artists from any Amerindian community in Guyana
With the permission of the village council, artists from other nationalities will be welcome to participate in the Centers activities.
The committee will consult with the Artists to prepare programmes
The center will promote local artists on condition that they adher to Center’s charter.


POGRAMME
Events to sensitise and to inform the public will include : conferences,debates,slide-shows,poetry,story-telling,dancing and singing, exhibition visits to the city.
Villagers will be encouraged to visit the center
An annual membership fee will be charged
Artists will be asked to volunteer to manage the Center.
Local and international exhibitions will be organised to promote the artists.
The center will focus on the development of the visual arts, music, dance ,drama.Lokono language and customs
The center will revive the interest of local persons in their traditional customs
Artist will be encourage to sell their works
Artists will be encourageto produce quality works.
Fund raising events will be organised
Social gatherings will be organised to bring members together in a friendly atmosphere and an ocassion to share and exchange ideas.


THE CENTER’S CHARTER
All artists who display their works at an exhibition organised by the center must abide by the following conditions:
A membership fee will be charged to every artist who participates in an exhibitionj
A selection comittee will decide on works to be exhibited
10% from the sale of every piece of work will be remitted to the Center.
The Center will organise exhibitions and will provide the following :
• Assistance in setting-up an exhibition
• Guarantee a minimum 2-week exhibition
• Publicity – banner, radio and television, flyer
• Invitation letters
• Catalog
• Reception
A copy of the center’s charter will be given to each artist, or group of artist when the committee approves a project
A signed agreement between the artist and the Center will cement the agreement.

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Michael Simon Chairman (Ex-Captain, Agricultural Officer)
Lealand Clinkien Vice-Chairman (Ex-Captain, Teacher)
Oswald Hussain Director ( Artist, Teacher)
Oralando Shuman Assistant Director (Teacher)
Malinda Causway Treasury/Secretary (Teacher)
Trudy Simon Assistant Treasury/ Secretary (SecretaryDYC)
George Simon……..Advisor (A.A,Artist, Archaeologis
Tanny Oselmo Advisor (Artist)
Daniele Brady Resource Person (Anthropoligist)
Terry Adrian……….Resource Person (Agriculture Officer)


BENIFITS FOR THE VILLAGE
Promote St. Cuthbert`s
Attract visitors
Generate income
Improve the image of the village
Improve the image of the Artist


THE CENTER’S INVOLVEMENT IN NATIONAL CULTURAL DEVELOPMENTT
The Center welcomes invitations to participate in radio and television programmes to inform the general Guyanese public on matters pertaining to Amerindian Culture.
The Center will participate in various festivals in partnership or individually.
The Center will host Non Amerindian artists, musicians, dancers, writers,and poets.


LONG TERM OBJECTIVE
The committee visualises similar Art Centers in the Rupununi and Pakaraima regions of Guyana

A project to bring the art of these regions to the City is a necessity. Presently most goes to Brazil for marketing.

The Center has begun an Agricultural project to replant areas of the village with indigenous plants. This project is an experiment to teach villagers to protect their environment. It is hope that similar projects can be undertaken by other Amerindian communities.

The Center proposes to under-take a tree planting exercise to beautify the village.

These projects would allow for diversification of the Center’s activities while improving the quality of life in the neighbourhood