‘Art has the power to inspire, to influence and to build’ Our Correspondent Kohima | April 18 Under the initiative and support of the Department of Art & Culture, an event management group “A Thousand Art Project” in collaboration with Nagaland Art Society, Nagaland Street Art and Music Planet today launched Saturday Art School here. Launching this school, Vilalhou Noudi, Senior Art Executive, Art & Culture Department hoped that this Saturday Art School will become a stepping stone for the artists to give better service to the people to bring about the many benefits of art in the society. Noudi recalled that the department organized ‘Art Ensemble’ in November 2016 to bring artists and art enthusiast together to interact with each other and to work for the benefits of art to all. ‘A Thousand Art Project’ was launched during the ‘Art Ensemble’ as a call and an invitation to every artist to come forward to make their contributions to the society in any possible manner. “We have organized a number of art activities since then,” he said adding that the ongoing workshop on photography and the launching of Saturday Art School are also part of ‘Art Ensemble.’ “It is our desire to make the arts affordable and accessible to everyone. We want the art to contribute in building our society and to add beauty to our life and our environment. We believe the arts can help in reducing many social evils that are evading our society today. Art has the power to inspire, to influence and to build,” he said. Noudi said art in the school is meant to facilitate development of creative imaginations in the child, adding that without creative imagination is just another animal. “Art activities are meant to enhance the child’s creativity in all spheres of life. Art is one activity and a good one out of many that helps creative thinking in the child. It takes creative thinking and skill to create an artwork. Art in the school is therefore important,” he said. Stating that art service at the government levels aims to facilitate promotion and development of the artistic talents in the state, to explore its potentials and sustainability, and to deliver the optimal benefits of art to the people, he however said “ but the artists should come forward to make their contributions to the society.” The function was chaired by Mhao Odyuo. The launching programme was followed by “Pro-Shot”, photography workshop with Ranna MV from Bangalore as resource person. This workshop will continue till April 19.
