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The "Art Specialist Course Graduation Exhibition 2010-2011", featuring works by 32 students who graduated from the art specialist course organised by the Art Promotion Office (APO) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, will be held at the Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre (VAC) from tomorrow (January 21) until January 31.
The exhibition was opened today (January 20) by the Assistant Director (Heritage and Museums) of Leisure and Cultural Services, Dr Louis Ng Chi-wa, the three course coordinators, Mr Lee Chin-fai (sculpture), Mr Li Yau-mang (painting) and Ms Liu Siu-jane (printmaking), as well as the Chief Curator of Art Promotion Office, Ms Lesley Lau.
Featured at the exhibition are 100 artworks created by graduates of the course, which takes nine months to complete. Exhibits include sculptures, paintings, and printworks. One guided tour will be organised during the exhibition period.
Commenting on the exhibition, Ms Lau noted that since its establishment in 2001 the APO, which is based at the VAC, has striven to realise its founding vision of stimulating wider interest in art by making it a fun and enjoyable part of day-to-day life, as well as providing the public with more opportunities both to create and appreciate art.
"We have launched a number of innovative projects since 2001, including the Art Specialist Course, which has been especially successful in generating a fresh and exciting atmosphere at the VAC."
"In what seems like the blink of an eye, the ninth batch of students is about to graduate. From the first day of the course each year, the VAC experiences an unusual hustle and bustle. Every studio is a hive of students enthusiastically working on their projects for the graduation exhibition. For nine months, guided and inspired by many instructors, the students dedicate themselves to artistic creation. And finally January arrives with the important celebration of graduation and an eagerly anticipated reunion of instructors and alumni," Ms Lau said.
The Art Specialist Course aims to provide professional and intermediate training for those who aspire to artistic creation. The course emphasises theory, practice, appreciation and criticism and is designed in a way that unlocks the creative potential of the students.
During the nine-month course, and under the professional mentoring of the course co-ordinators and professional local artists, students are able to gain an in-depth understanding of the local art scene, consolidate their skills and enhance their knowledge of the visual arts for future artistic pursuits through a series of specialised workshops, visits, lectures and tutorials combined with theoretical and practical work.
The 2011-2012 Art Specialist Course, which offers training in ink painting and Chinese calligraphy, is currently open for applications and the deadline is February 28. Mr Leung Kui-ting and Mr Tsang Kwong-choi will be the course co-ordinators. For details, please call 3101 2735 or visit the APO website: www.lcsd.gov.hk/apo .
The Visual Arts Centre is located at 7A Kennedy Road, Central, Hong Kong. It is open daily from 10am to 9pm except Tuesdays. Admission is free. For enquiries, call 2521 3008.
Ends/Thursday, January 20, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:01
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