In 2002 the Centre was privileged to host two extremely talented and dedicated young artists from the UK from January to June this year. Emma Wiggins and Rowena Whyte taught drawing and printing and introduced sculpture to the students for the first time, who’s skills developed in boldness and confidence under their tuition. The result of their work was an exhibition attended by 200 people at its opening.
In January 2002, amid huge excitement, a second-hand computer was installed at the Centre. Gallery warden Ashley Horn, who had done an introductory computer course, instantly began to improve his skills, and to pass on all he knew to others. Access to the internet is keenly awaited, and will enable young people to continue their studies via long-distance learning programmes.
Many students at the Centre had expressed an intense desire for learning the guitar, and in March the Centre purchased five guitars and began offering lessons. It is hoped that the Centre will soon be able to employ a full-time music tutor to teach a variety of instruments in a long-term programme.
In April 2002 a deeply moving performance by the Benoni based African theatre company, Sibikwa, was brought to the Courtyard Theatre. The subject of the play was sexual abuse, and was followed by a community discussion. A number of women bravely stood up in front of an audience of 300, and spoke passionately about the relevance of the play to Nieu Bethesda, and the need for the subject to be confronted by the community as a whole. The event will be followed up by a counselling training, offered by the Centre to a newly established Women’s Committee.
In September 2002, Tarot Couzyn, who has been running short workshops at the Centre since its opening in 1999, took up a full-time voluntary post as Centre manager. Tarot will also continue to run drawing and printing workshops, teach music, and carry forward the Centre’s development.
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© Copyright Bethesda Foundation, Bethesda Arts Centre, 2005