magic of Fingers: An artisan gives shape to a swan with clay. File picture

Jan. 4: Learn the art of giving shape to your imagination in clay and then put them on display for connoisseurs. The art enthusiasts in the city rarely get such an opportunity.

But, the situation is changing.

The Centre of Fine Arts and Crafts, run by North Guwahati-based Faculty of Fine Arts, has decided to organise regular workshops to hone the talents of the aspiring artisans of the city.

As part of its initiative, the centre will organise a three-day workshop on clay modelling and craft designing at North Guwahati Girls’ High School from Sunday, where the students of fine arts will learn the nuances of clay modelling and craft designing. Their creations will be exhibited at the end of the session.

“The training will be imparted by some of the state’s renowned and established artisans. An exhibition of the participants’ creations will be organised on the concluding day of the workshop,” said Hemangini Bordoloi, veteran artist and member of Faculty of Fine Arts.

Bordoloi, an alumni of Shantiniketan, said the aim of the workshop was to groom a group of young and aspiring artisans on the nuances of clay craft.

The workshop will be the first major event of the newly established Centre of Fine Arts and Crafts, which aims at providing best of training to students of various fine arts.

“We have very few institutions imparting training on art and crafts. Thus many talented people fail to even start off for want of professional knowledge. So, the centre was set up with an aim to hone their skills, thereby helping their talent grow and flourish,” said Bordoloi.

“In order to popularise art and crafts, we are also planning to visit different schools and colleges of the city. In today’s competitive world where the job market is shrinking by the day, young talented artisans can eke out a living by practising art and crafts. This will happen only when more and more students come up to learn fine arts,” said Bordoloi.

Recalling her earlier days, Bordoloi said when she aspired to be a full-fledged artist and to learn painting from established institute, there was literally none in the entire state.

“I had to go to Shantiniketan to learn painting. But today’s generation is lucky enough to get enough scope in the city itself,” said Bordoloi. “More such schools are needed in the city to help art and crafts thrive.”

The veteran painter’s works have been showcased in many countries, including Japan, where her works are hugely popular.

“I was always interested in learning the art of making beautiful objects with clay. But till now I have not come across a place in the city to pursue my interest. I am waiting in anticipation to participate in the workshop,” said Poonam Das, a college student.

Aesthetics, a Guwahati based socio-cultural group, has also collaborated in the effort of the centre to organise the workshop.