Over 1,000 students attend art and crafts centre

The Wistin Camilleri Gozo Centre for Art and Crafts in Għajnsielem, which had opened in 1989 with only 45 students following 10 courses, now offers 56 courses attended by more than 1,000 students.

The growth of this centre is demonstrated in an exhibition currently held at the Exhibition Halls within the Gozo Ministry, with both halls brimming with works of art, artefacts and other handiwork carried out by those attending various courses throughout the past scholastic year.

The annual end-of-year-exhibition was inaugurated by Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono, who remarked that the high standard of work at the exhibition reflects the progress experienced by the centre over the years.

The centre has been the focus of an extensive project co-financed by EU funds, which saw the construction of an extension to the previous school and a new Crafts Incubation Centre, the first of its kind on the island.

Such an initiative continued an ongoing process by the ministry to revive and keep alive traditional crafts while promoting other artisan work which has considerable potential to generate new jobs on the island.

The results may be seen by viewing the various projects on show. The exhibition is open till next Sunday.

The various skills and imagination of the participants are proof of the talent that exists among the participants whose ages range from seven to 80. It also means that artisan work, one of the fundamental characteristics of Gozo, is still thriving.

Information and applications for enrolment in the 56 courses offered by the Wistin Camilleri Gozo Centre for Art and Crafts for the next scholastic year are available from the centre, tel. 2155 1493.

The ministry recently invited interested parties to apply for the use of the incubation space at the centre. More details may be obtained from the Department of Corporate Services within the Gozo Ministry.