The Chronicle
By Lungelo Ndhlovu
20 May 2013
PUPILS in primary and secondary schools in and around Bulawayo are set to battle it out in the 26th Annual Lions International Peace Poster Competition scheduled for later this year. The Peace Poster contest, seeks to develop the learning of visual arts in schools. Pupils aged between 11, 12 and 13 are legible to participate. It caters for pupils in both Government and private schools and no fee is required for the entries.
Bulawayo’s National Gallery of Zimbabwe facilitator, Clifford Zulu, hailed the teaching of visual arts in schools and revealed that the gallery is open for art teachers and their pupils in order for them to gain inspiration.
“We have a library for the visual arts here at the gallery and it is available for use in order to inspire kids and their teachers so as to enhance on their art work and art-pieces towards this competition.
“We are also in a position to provide knowledge on the mediums which could be used by the artists and the books. Especially for things like the brushes and sugar paper, art teachers should come to the gallery and learn how they can be used,†said Zulu.
Different schools from Lions Clubs International District 421 are expected to participate in the contest.
Zimbabwe, Botswana, Malawi and Mozambique make up District 421.
This year’s theme is “Our World, Our Future†and every participant is expected to explain what this title means to him or her, through art. Contestants can choose any materials they desire for example, pencils, crayon, pens, markers, paints or chalk.
The chairperson of the Peace Poster contest Lion, Ruth van Resberg, said they are engaging the Provincial Education Director for Bulawayo Mr Dan Moyo and the Minister of Education Sports Arts and Culture, Senator David Coltart in order to develop art in schools.
“As the Lions Club International, we are engaging various relevant stakeholders so as to promote art in schools.
“We are working towards reaching out for many schools around and outside Bulawayo.
“We need art works from different kids all over even from the rural areas in order for them to join into the Peace Poster International Competition,†said van Resberg.
The Lions Club District 421 will notify winners after 1 December and the competition’s International Prize winner will get  a trip to New York City with two family members for a behind the scenes visit to the United Nations, where the winner will be presented with a cash prize and an engraved Commemorative Plaque.