Students open virtual gallery space
After a year defined by coronavirus challenges, art students from the National University of Samoa have established new studio space allowing them to display their work remotely.
Students were able to showcase their projects in a makeshift space on campus made to serve as a gallery under the state of emergency restrictions.
The university launched the "Le Papaigalagala Virtual Art Gallery" to allow students to showcase their final projects online.
The students' artwork covers a range of media, subject matter, and concepts that focus on their experiences during COVID-19 and themes such as identity, social and environmental concerns.
The university had an art exhibition in May at the Niulea Exhibition Space in which the students used their art-work to tackle the theme: "Coping with COVID-19".
Students are also able to sell their work through these virtual exhibitions.
Also featured in the virtual art gallery are exhibits from the university's past graduates enrolled in the visual art programme, which is under the Faculty of Education.
According to the university's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alec Ekeroma, the 'Le Papaigalagala Virtual Art Gallery' aims to enrich students’ ability and create new advocates of art.