Every year the Division of Fine Arts: an educational centre for the Visual and Performing Arts at the Barbados Community College, highlights the accomplishments of the graduating students in a series of exhibitions and performances.  This year Portfolio Season features outstanding presentations by five graduating classes.

Music Portfolio – Prestigious Collage: the 20^th Movement

This year, the first Portfolio event is Music Portfolio which takes place at the Frank Collymore Hall on April 26^th at 8 pm. The Associate Degree in Music programme at the Barbados Community College started in 1998 with 10 students. This year there are some 55 students enrolled and 20 of these will be graduating. The class of 2012 boasts 6 drummers, the largest number in any group to date. All of these students will be featured in the annual graduation concert, Prestigious Collage: The 20^th Movement, at the Frank Collymore Hall on April 26^th.  Patrons will be treated to just over two hours of great performances in a variety of genres from classical to calypso to jazz. This show has been sold out over the last three years, so we kindly ask you to get your tickets early. These will be available from April 2^nd at A+B Soundz in Sheraton and at C.S. Pharmacy at a price of $30.

Studio Art / Visual Art Portfolio

On April 30^th, the students graduating from the BFA Studio Art programme will present Ceci n’est pas un Exposition which will open in the Morningside Gallery at 6 pm.  The exhibition will continue until May 5th and opening hours are 10-6 Monday to Friday and 10-5 on Saturday. At the same time the Visual Arts Associate Degree students will present their work as part of Portfolio 2012 in the surrounding studios in the Division. This exhibition will remain up until May 11^th. This year the opening at Morningside will feature music by the BCC Jazz Ensemble as part of the first UNESCO International Jazz Day, officially designated as April 30^th. In all, work by more than 50 students will be on display and will provide an excellent overview of the art produced by students upon graduating from these two sequential programmes.

Graphic Design Portfolio – Cloud 9

The Barbados Community College is pleased to announce the annual showcase of the Bachelor of Art Degree in Graphic Design Portfolio at the Grande Salle in the Central Bank of Barbados. Entitled Cloud 9, which makes references to joy and optimism, students explore concept and media through a variety of visual styles that reflect their personal and professional growth as designers. On display will be a range of topics including type design, product development – textiles and furniture, branding, publication design, packaging, campaigns, web design, animation, and video.  This promises to be some exciting viewing and should not be missed. The private view will be held on Tuesday May 8^th at 7:00 p.m. and will be open to the public from May 9^th to May 13^th, 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.  This excludes Sunday. There is no admission fee. Further information on the event may be obtained from the Course Coordinator of the Graphic Design programme. Contact:

Theatre Arts Portfolio - For colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf

The 2012 Portfolio season concludes with the Theatre Arts Department production of Ntozake Shange’s ‘for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf’ on  Saturday, 12 and Sunday 13 May at Frank Collymore Hall at 8 p.m. Director Yvonne Weekes uses the unique rhythms of this intense and provocative choreopoem to explore the universal themes of identity, love and loss and survival.  Ten students will be graduating from this year’s Associate Degree in Theatre Arts, trained in acting, sound, lighting, stage and costume design. Tickets at $30 are available from 18 April at Pro Photo (Sheraton Centre), Mpowered (Mall Internationale), BCC Book Source and UWI Bookshop and i-tickets (Cave Shepherd).  For more information, contact: .

Thanks to Allison Thompson and Versia Harris for bringing this to ARC's attention.