Magazine of the Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, Palazzo de La Salle, 219, Republic Street, Valletta VLT 1116

21244400 21244339 www.artsmalta.org info@artsmalta.org

Magazine of the Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, Palazzo de La Salle, 219, Republic Street, Valletta VLT 1116

F CUSDecember 2011 - Issue no17

10th NATIONAL ART COMPETITION & EXHIBITION ‘Anima Nuda’ by Dolores Lungaro Mifsud (right) won the Sculpture & Ceramics Category (Prize sponsored by the Valletta Fund Management)

‘Mettalica Rewind’ by Pamela Baldacchino (below) won the Painting Category (Prize sponsored by Vee Gee Bee Art of Valletta and San Gwann).

More on Pages 6 and 7

EditorialFOCUS - December 2011

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EditorialIt is indeed useful that every now and then the old members of the Society are reminded of the performance of the Malta Society of Arts Manufactures and Commerce since its foundation and the new ones made aware of it. The establishment of the Society in 1852 opened avenues then inaccessible to the individuals with artistic talents needing development. On the 2nd April of that year the UK Secretary of State for the Colonies came up with the idea of setting up, in all British Colonies, a Society similar to the Society for the Encouragement of Arts Manufactures and Commerce in the UK. In Malta the proposal was taken up immediately and the establishment of the Malta Society of Arts Manufactures and Commerce was announced in the Government gazette of the 4th November 1852. An outline of the activities of the Society is contained in the book published by the Society for the celebration of its 150th anniversary. It must be said that among the similar Societies in the ex-British Colonies, the Malta Society of Arts Manufactures and Commerce is the only institution that survived.

The Society’s long duration is really remarkable and still there is no symptom of tiredness in the Society. Those who are regular visitors can see for themselves both the material improvements carried out and the spreading cultural and educational activities organized by the Society’s Council. The coming year, 2012, will be the 160th Anniversary of the Society’s establishment and this special event should not pass without being in some way commemorated.

A programme discussed at Council level has now been drawn up. The newly restored Courtyard will be used for the presentation of the Gold Medal 2011 to Father Marius Zerafa O.P. for his contribution to the Society and to the Maltese art scene in particular. There will be an exhibition of works recently donated to the Society by an Italian artist, Enzo Frascione. It is intended to invite a well known musician to give a performance at Palazzo de La Salle, the seat of the Society. Later in the year it is proposed to put up an art exhibition in the courtyard and concurrently with another exhibition in the Halls featuring works by Harry Alden and Gianni Bonnici. A special event will be the exhibition of important and historical documents found in the records of the Society which highlight the contribution the Society has made in visual art, crafts and commerce.

These celebrations will pass in the same way as other celebrations have passed. The important thing is to keep the Society alive and whilst pursuing the scope of its establishment a vision for the future is necessary. Times change but the overused phrase that one has to change with the times is still valid. As long as there are persons ready to work on a voluntary basis disinterestedly and with a conviction of the importance of their mission, the Society will move on as it has done throughout these 160 years.

The Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce has been organizing courses in Visual Arts, Music and Traditional Crafts for several years. The number of students has increased substantially, so much so that new classrooms had to be created. Also there are always waiting lists in particular courses. These courses which are open for all ages are o�ered both in the mornings and evenings including Saturdays. Although the number of adults is more evident in Winter, in Summer the reverse is noticed as more children and young adults attend courses focusing mostly in Arts and Music.

Courses in Visual Arts cover areas in Art for Juniors, Art for Beginners, Art at Intermediate and Advanced level, Art for 50+, History of Art, Painting Outdoors, Figure & Portrait Painting, Floral Art, Clay Sculpture, Stone Sculpture, Woodcarving and Photography.

There is a vast selection in the Crafts courses which include, Cake Decorating, Cottage Craft, Crib Building, Crochet, Maltese Lace, Knitting, Embroidery, Embroidery in Gold, Ganutell, Parchment Craft, Monastery, Needle Handcraft, Gilding, Home Improvement, Soft Furnishing, Tailoring and Curtain Making. Courses in Music include Guitar, Pianoforte, Violin, Theory of Music and Voice Studies.

Continues on page 3

The President and Council Members of the

Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce

would like to convey to everyone a

Blessed Christmas and a Prosperous New Year

Art, Crafts and Music Courses at Palazzo de La Salle

NewsFOCUS - December 2011

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Continued from Page 2

The Society has put up October 1, 2012 as its target date to �nish the process of reviewing the courses and standardizing them in line with government and EU policies.

Anyone interested to join one of these courses starting from January 2012 may download the Time-Table and Application Forms from our site at www.artsmalt.org while more information may be obtained from the Society Monday to Friday on tel. no 21244339 / 21244400, email: info@artsmalta.org

Pianoforte

Introduction to Photography

Art

Cake Decoration

Embroidery in Gold

Malta Lace

Embroidery

Exhibitions and News

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FOCUS - December 2011

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Art Students of the Society at the Naxxar Hobbies, Arts and Crafts Exhibition

For the third year running some art students of the Society were present during this artistic annual events organized by the Naxxar Local Council. The participation of our students was a promotion for the art and other courses organized by the Society.

Yvette Carabott and Maria Cauchi during the event in Naxxar.

THE 5th ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF THE PASTEL SOCIETY OF MALTAThe 5th Exhibition by members of the Pastel Society of Malta was held at Palazzo de La Salle between the 3rd and 19th November. Fifteen members participated in this year’s exhibition and 38 works, which included abstracts, landscapes, seascapes and �gurative art, were on display. The Pastel Society of Malta’s aim is to promote the use of pastel and to enable the art loving public to appreciate the versatility and beauty of this medium.

Silver Palette Art Competition and Exhibition 2012The Silver Palette Art Competition and Exhibition 2012 is open to persons who may submit two works per category, namely Paintings and Sculpture & Ceramics. The Exhibition of all works entered will be inaugurated on the 8th March 2012 when the Silver Palette Trophy and other prizes will be awarded. Vee Gee Bee Art and the Valletta Fund Management are sponsoring the event. More information and Application Form may be downloaded from the Society’s website @ www.artsmalta.org (Tel: 21244339/21244400 – Email: events@artsmalta.org)

Membership RenewalMembers have been informed that their Membership Fee is now due. The Society values your continued support and your early renewal of your subscription will be greatly appreciated.

Website RenewalThe Society has started accepting from artists Society’s Website Renewals for the year 2012 – www.artsmalta.org – An early renewal of subscription will be greatly appreciated.

New Lecture Chairs and Work BenchesNow that the number of Talks and Lectures at the Society are on the increas,a set of comfortable chairs, equipped with arms/writing tables was purchased.

5 Work Benches have been purchases and placed in the workshop for the use of the students attending Clay, Stone sculpture and Woodcarving courses.

Talks on the History of Malta delivered by Vincent Zammit“The coming of the French, the uprising and the �rst years of British Rule”The Society will be organizing the second series of illustrated talks by Vincent Zammit on the history of Malta. The �rst series was is being held during the months of October-December 2011 covering the period of the Knights in Malta. This second series (January-March 2012) will cover the period between the coming of the French, the uprising and the �rst years of British rule. The third and �nal series will be held during the months of April-June 2012 and will cover the British period in Malta. The series will consist of 10 talks of two hours each at the Sala dei Cavalieri in Palazzo de La Salle and will start in January 2012. These talks will be in Maltese, every Friday between 5.30pm and 7.30pm for 10 consecutive weeks.

The fee is 25 Euro for the whole series (10 talks). Limited places are available. Applications Form and further details may be obtained from the Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, Monday to Friday between 8am and 1pm. Tel: 21244339 – 21244400. Email: info@artsmalta.org – website: www.artsmalta.org

ONE MAN Exhibition by Jeremy Ellul The Exhibition was held at the Courtyard of Palazzo de La Salle between 28th October and 19th November. Jeremy Ellul’s works in this exhibition included wooden, ceramic and metal pieces.

NewsFOCUS - December 2011

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The restoration of the facade of Palazzo de La Salle in Republic Street, Valletta is the third phase of the restoration process of the historic building.

The �rst phase of the restoration of the Palazzo de La Salle comprised the walls in St.Nicholas Street, the back of the building, the outer walls of the Sala dei Cavalieri and the roofs of the Palazzo. The internal courtyard, basement and the nympheum were restored in the second phase of the project.

This third phase, is being �nanced by the Government under the supervision of Architect Amanda De Giovann from the Restoration Unit. The works include primarily the restoration of deteriorated masonry fabric, removal of cement based renders and pointing, stabilization of detached masonry facings, cleaning, and reinstatement/reconstruction of missing or deteriorated sections of the masonry.

It also includes the restoration and replacing of deteriorated timber apertures present on the facade. The wrought iron grilles and gratings will also be restored.

This last phase of the restoration project should be completed by the beginning of the 2012.

RESTORATION OF PALAZZO DE LA SALLE’S FACADE

EventsFOCUS - December 2011

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London College of Music Graduation

On the 21st October the Annual Concert was held at the Casino Maltese in Valletta. It was also Graduation Day for 45 students who received diplomas from the London College of Music. The Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, is the local representative of the University of West London, London College of Music for more than 80 years. The Diplomas were presented by the president of the Society, Mr.Joseph J. Mifsud and Mr.Joshua Brown from the London College of Music, examiner for the Winter 2011 Practical examinations held at the Malta Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.

Before the start of the Graduation Ceremony, 14 students gave a performance in front of a packed hall. The performers were Katrina & Malcolm Saliba (piano duo), Johan Debattista (Baritone), Sarah Mercieca (Piano), Carmel Cachia (Euphonium) accompanied by Yvette Maria Galea on the piano, Rebecca Abela (Piano), Graziella Vella (Clarinet) accompanied Yvette Maria Galea on the piano, Charlotte Schembri (Piano), Mark Farrugia (Piano), Alex Abela (Violin) accompanied by Miriam Muscat on the

piano, Edward Mifsud (Piano), Adrian Brincat (Jazz Trumpet) accompanied by Domenic Galea on the piano, Petra Magri Gatt (Piano), David Elluil (Violin) accompa-nied by Esmeralda Galea Camilleri and Michela Galea (Piano). Ms Marika Azzopardi compered the event.

Students who sat for this year’s exams amounted to 1184, of which 573 sat for the Practical exams while 611 sat for the Theory exams. This is an increase of 100 students over last year.

EXAMINATIONS TIME TABLE 2012

Practical ExamsSpring Session: May 2012Winter Session: October 2012

Theory ExamsSpring Session: Wednesday 18th April 2012Summer Session: Saturday 16th June 2012Winter Session: Saturday 24th November 2012

Email: lcm@artsmalta.org Website: www.artsmalta.org Tel: 21244339 / 21244400

NewsFOCUS - December 2011

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The 10th National Art Competition & Exhibition organized by the Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce was o�cially inaugurated by Mr Joseph F.X.Zahra, Chairman of Middlesea Insurance plc on the 22nd September at Palazzo de La Salle.

111 works were on show in four halls of the piano nobile and the covered courtyard of Palazzo de La Salle in Republic Street, Valletta.

Ceramist Dolores Lungaro Mifsud won �rst prize for sculpture titled ‘Anima Nuda’, presented by Mark Vella of Valletta Fund Management. Special mentions in this category were awarded to Christian Fenech with ‘Mother and Child’ (top left) and to Anthony Patrick Vella with ‘No Time no Space’ (top third from left). The �rst prize for painting presented by Joanna Boldarini of VeeGeeBee, went to Pamela Baldacchino for ‘ Metalica Rewind’, a work on canvas. Honourable mentions in this category went to Donnah Calleja for ‘A Study in Blue’ (top far right) and to Christopher Saliba for ‘Domino E�ect’ (top second from right).

There were 78 participants who competed in two sections. In the sculpture category 17 artists presented 27 works while 84 paintings were presented by 61 artists. A 100 page commemorative catalogue of the exhibition includes reproductions of all 111 works on show, a short historical outlook on the society and a report about the restoration of Palazzo de La Salle. The catalogue includes an index of the participating artists that serves as a directory and reference book.

The sponsors for this competition and exhibition were Valletta Fund Management and VeeGeeBee Art of Valletta and San Gwann.

Mr E.V. Borg curated the exhibition.

10th National Art Competition & Exhibition