AsiaLIFE

Offering something unique and creative for aspiring artists, Global Art is the latest effort to boost education and entertainment options for children. Words by Kate Liana.
“Art skills are like language or science – they’re valuable for everyone,” says Global Art director Anita Dean. “They are vital life skills.”

Originally from Bandung, Anita has a lifelong passion for art and painting. She first came to Phnom Penh with her husband, and the couple has lived here on and off since 2003. Anita saw a growing interest in art in the city, and believed an art school would be a welcome addition to both the educational and art scene here. So she decided to open her own school.

Although she wanted to start her own school, Anita chose to open a franchise of Global Art since it had an established curriculum. The organisation was founded in Malaysia ten years ago, and has programmes in 18 countries around the world. The premise is to teach children the basics in drawing, then expand those skills while developing their creativity.

“It’s a great programme,” says Anita. “It’s easy for children to follow and they progress quickly.”

In addition to offering art education, Anita was keen to fill the void in activities for kids that plagues parents here. And as word of mouth has spread, her classes have become more popular.

Art classes are split into three age groups ranging from four- to twelve-year olds. The youngest (4 to 6) take a foundation class, where they practice drawing lines and shapes, and learn rudimentary ideas of composition and colour. Seven- to nine-year-olds, learn enhanced drawing skills and are encouraged to use their imagination and foster their creativity. The oldest children (10-12) study how to draw people and facial expressions, complex compositions and drawing theory. Children practice in coloured pencils, oil pastels, water-based paint and acrylics. Global Art also offers handicraft classes in clay and origami. Older children are welcome.

The four bilingual English and Khmer teachers were trained by a specialist from Malaysia in the Global Art teaching method.

Most students are expat kids with a small percentage of locals, although Anita would like to expand her programmes to include more Cambodians. Currently, she is working with an NGO that brings children from Takeo to the school for free classes once a month.

In the future Anita hopes to stage an exhibition of her young student’s work, and host a drawing competition. An accomplished silk painter, she would also like to offer a silk painting class for adults as well.

“I’m eager to keep developing the school, so it can reach as many people as possible,” she says.

Global Art, 206 Norodom Blvd., Tel: 023 213 584 / 012 514 790, www.globalartcambodia.com
Tuesday – Friday 1pm – 6pm, Saturday – Sunday all-day. A set of four classes costs US$36.