Our 2nd Year students finished their classes last Friday and they have now commenced their study leave in preparation for their final IB Diploma examinations which start in just a few days.  We are now in the last four weeks of the academic year, which at some schools is described as a ‘wind-down’ period.  At LPCUWC, the pace actually quickens markedly at this time of the year, and it is more like a ‘wind-up’ in pace and numbers of things to do.

And yet, amidst this hectic period of marking and report writing there are some wonderful times.  One such occasion was the annual exhibition of our graduating students’ art works, which was held in the sports centre from Sunday to Wednesday of this week.  Unfortunately, an unanticipated transport delay meant I missed the opening ceremony on Sunday evening, but I made a point of going to look at the art first thing Monday morning.

To say the art was wonderful would be an understatement.  I actually enjoyed being able

to take the time and inspect the works of art in solitude this year, undisturbed by noise, socialising and conversations.  It gave me a rare opportunity to enjoy the art at my own pace and in my own way, and I think I had a deeper appreciation of the sensational work by our students as a result.

The theme of this year’s display was “Gritty, Not Pretty”, and many of the art works on display did indeed display a raw darkness that revealed deep emotions on the part of the artists.  As always at LPCUWC art shows, I particularly enjoyed the diversity of expression, themes and media used.  This diversity of expression signals to me very strongly that our students are being given full freedom to follow the leading of their own creative juices.

Congratulations are due to the art students and their teacher, Mr Selwyn Price, together with our maintenance staff and our Art Assistant, Edward, for putting together an excellent display of exceptional art.  Special thanks are due to the three students who have agreed to allow their work to be posted on my blog - Nera Nesic (from Croatia, top image), Trilce Oblitas Bejar (from Peru, middle image) and Vivian Bomblat Arcos (from Bolivia, bottom image).