Art elicits an innate reaction when words alone often cannot, communicating across barriers of language, class and culture. And it is precisely this that Liesbeeck Primary School art teacher Tatum Adonis is teaching her art pupils to provoke in their expression of the world around them.
Self-taught and passionate about the arts, Ms Adonis, a former Liesbeeck Primary pupil, often digs deep into her own pocket for art supplies as the arts still lag behind when it comes to getting support from local businesses. “To unlock their potential – their full potential – they need to be given the resources,” she says passionately.
The school, which only started offering art this year, is especially proud of four of its art pupils who took part in an art challenge from the City of Cape Town to draw something that inspires about Cape Town, be it places, people or plant life.
The artwork of pupils Skye Andries, 7, Leah Edwards, 9, Tristan Thompson, 9, and Connor Brown, 10, were selected out of 10 finalists from local primary schools to be showcased at the annual switching on of the festive lights earlier this month.
The pupils say they are inspired by animals and the beautiful scenery in the province. Tristan, who drew a picture of Table Mountain and the sights to be seen from this vantage point, says the view from the top of this landmark, which has been recognised as one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World, inspires him.
Leah, who did a drawing of the Green Point Urban Park, says she especially loves drawing the scenery when they go away on holiday. Skye, who sketched the Two Oceans Aquarium, says her mom Carmen puts up her work in the lounge and she has a special wall in their Portland home to show off her artwork. Connor, who drew Camps Bay Beach, says he loves to pen sketches of animals, especially dogs.
Principal Wahied Gasant says they are proud of their pupils’ achievements and the school community works as a team to develop well-rounded pupils who excel on all fronts.