Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 22, 2018 (SKNIS): The Department of Youth Empowerment is partnering with a number of stakeholders to expose the creative talents of art students, while at the same time encouraging them to preserve the natural resources of St. Kitts and Nevis, by hosting an exhibit under the theme: ‘Preserving our Land of Beauty.’
 
Pierre Liburd, Acting Director of Youth Empowerment, commented on the theme, noting that one of the priority goals of the St. Kitts and Nevis Federal Youth Policy, 2017-2022, speaks to preserving the environment.
 
“The theme centres around environmental awareness, conservation and preservation, and that’s one of the main pillars” of the Policy – getting young people involved in sustainable  development of St. Kitts and Nevis’ natural resources. So it engages them in taking stock of what we have and considering how they would present a message to encourage others to recognize and to preserve it,” he said.
 
He added that the policy “promises that we will be supporting and providing opportunities for young people to develop and share their perspectives, their talents and take advantage of opportunities in numerous fields.”  Visual arts is one such area that the young people expressed a keen interest in developing.

 
Mr. Liburd said that the department hopes to achieve a number of things from the exhibition.
 
“For one: provide a platform for young people to develop and display or expose their creative potential, and for the public to see and appreciate it,” said the acting director. “It is also an opportunity for them to test the waters; to come and be celebrated and encouraged, and for them to take the first step in developing a professional career in the visual arts.”
 
The Exhibition, which forms part of the department’s Youth Month from November 1-30, was launched on November 13 and is mounted on the first and second floors of the Cable Building. It runs from November 14, 2018 to January 04, 2019. Students from all public high schools in St. Kitts and Nevis, as well as the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College and Nevis 6^th Form, are participating in the exhibition.
 
The showcase is organized by the Department of Youth Empowerment in collaboration with the Sandy Point Art Association (SPARTA), and is sponsored by the St. Kitts and Nevis Small Grants Programme.