James tops secondary schools’ art competition

Shakir James of Scarborough Secondary, with his painting “Arnos Vale Water Wheel," walked away with $3,000 worth of units from the Unit Trust Corporation and $10,000 worth of units for his school as winner of the Tobago Secondary Schools’ Art Competition 2017.

Eleven finalists each received $1,500 in units from UTC.

Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles, in his address at the awards ceremony at the Scarborough Library on Tuesday, noted that “in all the (financial) cutting taking, you have survived,” and that this was testimony to the Tobago House of Assembly’s resolve to ensure that students were provided with opportunity and motivation to perform at the highest level.

He said competition was successful in providing young artists with platform to share their talents as he praised the artwork submitted by the students as of a “high standard,” and that he was pleased to know that Tobago’s raw talent was being nurtured and developed.

Also noting that one third of the island’s schools did not participate in the competition, Charles said the aim was to ensure all schools were involved next year.