Contest in Action

Over the first week of November, the Konkurso di Arte No Prome Boneriano nan began at Jong Bonaire. Registered participants aged between 12-20 participated in a series of events led by artists, BONAI, Oliver Antczak, SKAL and Jong Bonaire.

On the first day, 31st of October, students got their first information session about the Indigenous history of Bonaire. The session covered topics such as living areas on Bonaire, language, daily life and Marka Indjan (petroglyphs). Artists Karolien Helweg and Ruben la Cruz guided the students through their first sketches!

On November 3rd, an excursion to Terramar Museum took place. The author of the book: "Marka Indjan" Delno Tromp guided students through exhibitions at the museum. Students learned how old the Indigenous markings are, what materials were used and the meaning of the symbols! Thank you the Terramar Museum for hosting us and Mr. Tromp for the wonderful information.

The next activity was an excursion to Onima to see the petroglyphs. The students went to see the Indigenous Cave paintings at Boka Onima where museologist Jackie Bernabela gave the students information on the importance of the location of Onima, its relationship to Fontein for drinking water, and also discussed its relationships to harvest and star gazing!

The following days until November 8th students were invited to reflect on the previous activities and use it in their paintings. Bonairean Artist Dillon Rannou guided the students of Jong Bonaire.

The following event, November 9th, was an excursion to Museo Boneiru at SKAL. The students were introduced to Mr. Felis Thomas, head of the Sekshon di Kultura Arte i Literatura, Bonaire Government. After the Oliver Antczak gave the students a workshop on archaeology, and what it tells us about the history of Indigenous Peoples on Bonaire as a constant presence on the island. After that the students got to see Museo Boneiru and experience the objects from history themselves!

During the next days, November 10-13 students are continuing to paint ahead of the art contest exhibtion and award ceremony on Monday the 13th of November!

Photos: Jackie Bernabela, Laurianne Amerlaan, Oliver Antczak, Sulainie Martis