Ms. Winter heads the Art Department at Elmore Stoutt High School. The Guyana native’s work has been on display throughout this month at the 1780 Lower Estate Sugar Works Museum.
Tell me a bit more about your art.
I majored in painting and fashion at the Burrowes School of Art in Guyana. After that I went to University of Guyana to do my bachelor’s. My degree is in fine arts, which is general. I paint and draw; I do graphic design as well as fashion. I’m pretty much all rounded. I like art in general. It really doesn’t matter what form of art it is, I can do it.
When did you start making art?
I actually did science in high school. I didn’t do any arts. After high school, I thought science was boring and wanted to do arts. From there, I applied to art school, and I did pretty well and graduated as the best textile and fashion design student.
Are you still into fashion designing?
During my university years, I got interested in costume design and I would create pieces for pageant contestants. I was out there as a freelance designer, and I used to volunteer my time as a teacher. This weekend, actually, I held a fashion show at the BVI Exquisite Boat Show. I displayed swimwear and resort-wear. Since I got the BVI, I’ve not done anything like that.
Considering that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the August Emancipation Festival, will we be seeing any costumes from you then?
I’ve done sketches for some groups that want costumes, but I won’t actually be making costumes. Making costumes takes time, and you can’t rush them. I prefer to start in January when I have enough time, and I won’t be here for the first two weeks of July, so for me making costumes is a no-no.
Tell me about your work on display at the museum.
The theme for my ongoing exhibition is colours. The reason I have the exhibition is to motivate my students. Besides being a teacher, they should also know that their teacher can paint and do artistic stuff. It’s motivation for the students. They also have an exhibition at the beginning of next month, so this is more of an example for them.
What’s inspires your art?
I teach my students to prep and plan. You have to have an idea what you want to do, but with me, I work with a blank canvas. Whatever comes out of that canvas, I just go with the flow. Art for me comes with a lot of practice. I like drawing a lot. Drawing is my favourite of all.
I noticed a lot of colourful paintings and a variety of work at the exhibition. How long did it take to put the collection together?
I did most of the pieces within a month. I decided to do it at the end of January, but for some reason I wasn’t able to do it. I did something for everyone who likes art. There are some portraits, which is my strength; there’s some abstract art as well, and there are some seascapes and still-life. I also did three-dimensional art.
What’s it like being an art teacher?
It is a challenge at times, because you know the kids have potential and they settle for less. You just have to push them, but by doing your own stuff and them seeing your stuff, they are inspired.
What are some of the joys of being an art teacher?
I call them my kids. When they come into the programme at fourth form, they stay with me till they graduate. For some reason, I’ve always had a bond with my art students. They check out for me in the morning, lunch time and before they leave.
Some people have a perception of art not being a viable career. How has it been for you?
Art is very viable, but people keep putting it in a category of not being profitable. Without art we won’t have clothes, pens. An artist had to design it. It is very important. You can get fired as a doctor — you can lose your licence — but as an artist you can always have a job: graphic design, interior designing, and the list goes on. Every country needs artists. There is such a big market for art. The BVI is about tourism. You can have these kids go into fashion, designing. You can do crafts. Instead of going to St. Maarten and all those places to buy crafts, we can actually have them manufactured here. These are areas that kids can actually look in to.
How can students be prepared to create local items that can be sold to tourists?
For the art show coming up next month, we try to have them put out quality work that can eventually be sold out to the public. The fifth formers are allowed to sell out their work. Time is a factor. With art you need time. If we had more time with the students, perhaps we could get them to produce more.
Interview conducted, condensed and edited by Ngovou Gyang.