WILLEMSTAD – More than one hundred students from Ancilla Domini VSBO, Maris Stella VSBO and the Triniteit–Pierre Lauffer College will open their own exhibition at the Curaçao Museum on Wednesday, March 11. Under the title “Kòrsou den nos Bista” (Curaçao Through Our Eyes), the students present their artistic perspectives on tourism and the future of the island. The exhibition will run until April 21.
The project is the result of two years of work during the students’ Cultural and Artistic Education (CAV) classes, guided by Jeugdtheaterschool Drazans. During the first phase, students received lessons during school hours in various artistic disciplines from local artists and teachers. Theater, spoken word, visual arts and dance were all part of the program, with Curaçao itself serving as the main source of inspiration.
In the second phase of the project, the focus shifted toward individual creativity and collaboration between students from the different schools. One of the assignments involved students creating short introduction films about themselves without appearing on camera. Based on these films and additional instructions, students from another school then created abstract portraits of the person behind the story.
Exploring the Impact of Tourism
During the second year, the students worked toward the joint exhibition at the museum, choosing tourism as the central theme. Through their artworks, they explore questions about the role and impact of tourism on the island.
The students examine both sides of the issue: what tourism brings to Curaçao and what it may cost the community and environment. For many participants, the topic is personally relevant, as some of the students already work part-time in the tourism sector.
Through postcards included in the exhibition, the students communicate directly with visitors and invite them to reflect on how tourism should develop in the future.
The exhibition is located in the museum’s basement gallery and offers visitors an insight into the perspectives of young people on Curaçao, presenting the island through their eyes.
Theatrical Opening and Continued Youth Development
The official opening will take place on Wednesday, March 11, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The event will include theatrical performances and guided tours led by the young artists themselves.
Following the exhibition, fifteen selected students from the participating schools will take part in an after-school program aimed at further developing their theater skills. In the coming months they will continue training and, after the summer holidays, will perform for other young audiences across the island.