Art competition for schoolchildren
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Art has always been able to transform, illuminate, educate, inspire and motivate schoolchildren and youth about nature and the environment. As such, an important joint initiative was taken by the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL), the SPEARS Foundation – Sri Lanka and Rotary Club of Colombo West along with its Youth Wing in organising Wake up for Mother Nature – schoolchildren’s art competition and exhibition.
The exhibition opened on February 26 at the J D A Perera Art Gallery, Colombo 7 and ended yesterday.
The exhibition targeted issues of global concern. Emeritus Professor Sarath Kotagama of University of Colombo and Scientist Dr Rudy Rudran of the Smithsonian Institution USA, the core-founders of March for Conservation organisation were present. The exhibition provided an opportunity to share ideas and thoughts on the urgent need for biodiversity conservation and creating public awareness.
The event was conducted in preparation for the 18th Conference of Parties (CoP 18) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which will be held in Sri Lanka from May 23 to June 3 this year.
The competition was held in three age categories; Grades 1-5, 6-9 and 10-13, and based on three themes; Threats to biodiversity, Conservation and sustainable use of land resources, and Conservation and sustainable use of aquatic resources. Three winners were selected from each age group and theme category and 29 honourable mention certificates and cash prizes were awarded.
The competition was organised with the approval of the Ministry of Education, and nearly 3,000 drawings and paintings were received. 350 were selected for display at the exhibition by an esteemed panel of judges.
There were interesting activities and stalls at the exhibition which helped in educating budding naturalists and the general public. The Art corner, guided by nature art experts including Shantha Jayaweera, educated children on nature conservation through art. One of the interesting sections was the video corner by Rukmal Ratnayake, a conservationist, where several documentary films were screened. The stalls by FOGSL and Butterfly Conservation Society of Sri Lanka (BCSSL) provided a wide array of information, books, brochures and field guides for nature lovers. The Marine pollution corner, by Ocean Intact group, artistically addressed one of the biggest environmental problems prevailing; marine pollution.
The exhibition will be followed by a street parade; “March for Mother Nature.”
- Ramalka Kasige
Pic by Rukmal Ratnayake