Many of us marvel at the work of great artists. At times their depiction is beyond our comprehension.

So much so, that often times we may label an artists work as abstract. Art, when inspired with love, leads to higher realms. Love art, and that art will open for you the inner life. (Meher Baba). Vonnie Roudette, lecturer in Art at the St. Vincent Community College shares this view.

Born in England to a Trinidadian father and British mother, Vonnie grew up in West Africa from the age of three. She studied fine art and textile design at Manchester. Later on, she completed research work in Kyoto, Japan. Her childhood years had inculcated in Vonnie a deep sense of appreciation for the environment, nature, space and the ideals of community culture. An understanding of the environment and nature, she believes, helps to foster the creative mind and ultimately illuminates your creative experience. Motivated by the unspoilt beauty of the Caribbean, tropical climate and the plethora of flora and fauna of the region, Vonnie moved her family to St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the early 1990s.

Although work was difficult, her spirit was by no means daunted and she finally found her niche. Creative education was virtually non-existent on the island. Armed with the expertise gained from lecturing at Berkshire College of Art and Design, and work experience gained from Issey Miyake, Japan, she was more than ready to take on new and exciting challenges.

With a dearth of expertise in creative education, she commenced the Children Creativity classes at the Cotton Ginnery Building at Frenches. The thrust of the programme was in traditional art and promotion of the artist. In other words, the use of material found naturally in the environment was an important component of the creativity lessons. Children were thus given the opportunity to show greater appreciation for the things around them. In 1996, she founded SVG Create a NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO). During its existence, SVG Create focused on acquiring sponsorship, hosting art and craft fairs, public awareness and fundraising activities.

As banana production, main cash crop of the multi-island state, declined during the 90s, Vonnie seized the chance to use art as a catalyst for economic development. According to Roudette, the goal of Fibreworks was to generate employment for those affected by the loss of revenue from banana cultivation. She noted that the material utilized had zero (0) carbon. In her words, it was environmental aesthetics. Without any fanfare she was quietly developing a reputation as one knowledgeable in fine art and design. When British citizen Dr. Nicod in 2001 inquired of someone

to teach his daughter A level Art, he was given several testimonials of Vonnies work with youths and other artists. Having taken up the offer, the rest is history.

Sitting on a stool in her trademark head wrap and long flowing skirt, Vonnie was in high spirit and ready to espouse all. Her charm and warm greeting were in stark contrast to a room crying out desperately for overdue repairs. Nevertheless, she was happy with the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to her adopted home. She noted that in the beginning there were only five (5) students. Although the number was small they demonstrated great promise and their results two years later more than confirmed this. The college received a hundred percent (100%) pass rate with one distinction. Today, there are over twenty students enrolled in the arts programme at the Community College. This may not seem significant among a student population of more than two thousand. However, the impact of the work being done is phenomenal and is raising eyebrows not only nationally but regionally as well. One of the reasons for this, stated Vonnie, is consistency. Their latest performance in CAPE (CXCs A level Exam) realized a 100% pass rate with 20% being distinctions. The UWI was very impressed with the quality of art originating from the college and has approached Roudette to lecture at Cave Hill. While this would have brought her greater financial benefits, the petit, former Darlington resident was prepared to stay and continue building on the foundation she has laid.

When quizzed about the factors influencing the level of success, her response was simple. Here we focus on the development of original ideas. This we do through the creative process a prerequisite for all art and design work. Lanique Holder, a Second Year student, was in full agreement. Brainstorming is an essential factor stated Lanique. We do extensive research to capture every facet of the project. At that time, she was working on her end-of-year piece Harmony in Nature in which she is depicting bonding between human and nature and nature and nature. Her cue to this story came from the shak-shak a common Afro-Caribbean musical instrument. Pointing to papers pasted on a small chalkboard, Lanique explained that there were several formal elements to be seen in the shak-shak. She talked about the lines, structure, patterns and texture.

Returning to the question, Vonnie highlighted the fact that the programme has continuity. She said that many of the students were in secondary schools teaching art. Smiling like a proud mother she quickly added that a number of former students were at various universities pursuing degrees in fine art, architecture, film, graphic design and fashion. While this is all good she said, my greatest joy comes from the knowledge that these students are able to discover themselves. An environmental relationship is incorporated into the programme. Students gain a greater sense of

self-awareness and their relationship to nature. They are taught skills to ensure that after school they can earn a decent living and stressed heavily on self-employment.

Contemporary Young Artists Movement (CYAM) an organization born out of this programme is in its 6th year producing wonderful and artistic calendars. Their 2009 calendars were made possible through the sponsorship of Invest SVG, the Investment Promotions Agency of the country. CYAM she exclaimed, is like a creative family. Members form an intangible bond fueled by a creative experience and mutual support for each others creation. Students of the art programme are automatically incorporated into the CYAM family. They provided the platform to build and nurture partnerships. As these bonds are extended, each individual is enabled the time to discover himself or herself through shared creativity. Their sense of social responsibility is revealed and the group acts as a catalyst for change.

Kithesha James, another student, expressed glowing praise for the programme and CYAM. Softspoken but very passionate, James acknowledged that as an artist you get to express your feelings, emotions and personality. Art brings me peace, she said. It builds my self-confidence and the work I produce is original. Holders sentiments were similar. According to Holder, It builds you. You grow mentally, spiritually. Art has helped me to step out of the box and make a change. Art is a form of therapy.

Notwithstanding the success of the programme and the bonds made possible through CYAM, the lecturer and students are faced many numerous challenges. Facilities are in dire need of upgrade. Pointing to areas in the roof she showed me where rats and water enter respectively. She lamented the absence of computers and photographic and printing equipment. On a personal note, she talked about her own struggles to get a permanent position and better salary at the college before its recent restructuring. Rooted in the knowledge that her students, CYAM and the art programme at the Community College are making a difference, Vonnie Roudette marches on. Art is indeed a pathway to a greater understanding of who you are and your purpose in life. And, as Meher in our introduction said, Love art!