Gifted young artists of YZA

Postcards by Young Artists of YZA (Young Zoologists' Association) :

Young artists' impressions of nature

by Ranga CHANDRARATHNE

The Young Zoologists' Association (YZA) was recently celebrated its 10th Anniversary recently. It was on the bright idea of former President of YZA Shantha Jayaweera that the Junior Section of the YZA was established on October 23, 1999.

Among other things the vision resulted in the production of five gifted young artists and nature lovers. Extremely talented young artists have produced five Post Cards to mark the 10th anniversary of JYZA and the pack containing five Postcards was handed over to the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Patali Champaka Ranawaka on the day marking the 10th Anniversary. Though they are young in age, they have reached professional status in the craft.

Ruwangi Amarasinghe, hailing from a family of artists commenced drawing at the age of five and ever since she loves drawing. Subsequent her joining the JYZA as its first member, she began attending class for art conducted by Shantha Jayaweera.

Sachini Rasadari joined JYZA as eight year girl and commenced drawing in 2001. She believes that one can sharpen skills in drawing even without inborn talents. However, Adrian Kalasuriya's experience is different. Though he commenced drawing at the age of 6, it was after joining JYZA that he sharpened his skills. He is of the view that anyone interested in wildlife art should join YZA and devote some of their skills towards preservation of wildlife by raising awareness and creating interest in public in appreciating wildlife and nature.

Malki Dilishani, who draws ever since she got hold of a pencil, discovered her talents only after joining YZA in 1999 and followed classes thereafter. "If it was not for YZA and Shantha Aiyya I wouldn't have discovered my talents in wildlife art and probably would have abandoned art for good".

Senal Siriwardena joined YZA at the tender age of 8. Though he drew earlier, it was after joining the YZA's Art Class that he reached professional level. "It does not really matter what methods that you used as long as you develop your own style and stick to it. I own a lot to YZA and Shantha Aiyya ". The Postcards with paintings on wild life will soon be released into the market.