Nereta welcomes its first Aizkraukle Art School class

September 1 was a special day in Nereta, as the Aizkraukle Art School opened a class there for the first time. Twenty-three children are beginning a new artistic journey, embarking on a seven-year visual and plastic arts programme.

School director Anita Ostrovska addressed the students and their parents, calling the opening a historic moment for Nereta, which previously had no art school class of its own. The initiative was supported by Viktorija Trukša, director of the local J. Jaunsudrabiņš primary school, who encouraged parents to let their children study art and wished the students and their teacher a successful year.

Classes will be led by teacher Tatjana Ozoliņa. The dedicated classroom is still being arranged, but on the very first day the children worked together to create an autumn-themed decoration, each choosing a coloured ribbon, tying it into a circle and sharing their feelings as they did so.

A visit from Pifs

An unexpected guest added a special touch to the first lesson — Pifs, a beloved storybook dog character played by Vanda Arnta-Laizāne, head of the artistic department at the Aizkraukle Culture Centre. Pifs had prepared thoroughly, showing the children a tree he had spent three weeks drawing and bringing along various brushes for the lesson. He got to know all the children and set them a task of decorating a tree with a leaf of their choice, calling it the first class's family tree, which he asked them to keep until they finish art school. Before leaving, Pifs posed for photos with the children and promised to visit Nereta again.

Director Anita Ostrovska said the opening of the new class brought special joy, as all applicants passed the entrance exams successfully and the class has the backing of both the local municipal administration and the school. Next week, the Aizkraukle Art School's preparatory class will also begin in Bebri.