July 26, 2004 – Youngsters who have been attending local artist Danica David's Creative Adventure Summer Art Program will display their work and receive prizes in a one-night exhibition Friday, July 30, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Georges Village Botanical Garden.
This is first time the summer art program was based at the Botanical Garden.
According to a press release, students explored art and gardening. David, the director of the program, taught the students art forms such as Abstract, Cubism, Fauvism, Earth Art, and Action Painting. Ferdi Abraham, botanist and owner of Ferdi's Forest Inc., joined the camp this year and taught gardening techniques to the students. They learned how to start a vegetable garden and tree planting, transplanting, and the art of bonsai.
"It was such a blessing to have the camp at the Garden," David said. "Along with the kids I learned so much about gardening from Ferdi. I especially liked learning about bonsai art."
Elle Abraham, Ferdi's daughter said; "I had a lot of fun. I like my teacher and the camp counselors. Next year I would like to attend the camp again."
This year Carol Williams was employed as the assistant director. Megan Grant, Shanel James, and James Reid were employed as camp counselors. Grant was a camper in the first and second year of the program, which is now in its fourth year. "I love to encourage former students to come back to work with the program," David says.
Each week artists would visit the camp to teach various art forms. The local guest
artists were Renee Davis, Pedra Chaffers, Leslie Cramer and Yemaya Jones.
Edwin Ward, an actor, painter, minister, and close friend of the Garden's Executive Director Brinsley Burbidge volunteered to teach an art session. Ward, visiting from Denver, Colo., showed the students how to use various lines to create a Caribbean landscape. Julie Loquidis, wife of Burbidge, also stopped by to assist with the program.
Lesley Hoffman, office manger and events director at the Botanical Garden said, "We have really enjoyed having the children in David's Creative Adventure Summer Art Program here at the Garden this year. The Botanical Garden belongs to the people of the Virgin Islands, and we hope that by bringing children here at an early age they will identity with the Garden and learn about the importance of plants. It has been wonderful for us to hear the children's laughter all summer. We look forward to Danica's camp being held here next year."
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