Fine Arts Education at Aga Khan Lycée in Tajikistan
At Aga Khan Lyc茅e (AKL) in Khorog, Tajikistan, opportunities for fine arts education provide students with much more than beautiful pictures to hang on the fridge.
Creativity, motor skills, confidence, improved academic performance, and visual learning are just a few of the important traits that students can develop through the school鈥檚 fine arts club.
The after-school club encourages students of all ages to get creative with brushes and paints. Many of the club鈥檚 20-25 students developed an interest in the fine arts during AKL鈥檚 mandatory drawing classes through grades 0 to 7, while others drop in whenever the creative mood strikes them.
The fine arts club is organized by AKL arts teacher Zulfiya Noyobshoeva, who said the club is providing students with the tools they will need to succeed.
鈥淎fter practicing [their craft] hard, students learn that hard work and perseverance pay off,鈥 explained Zulfiya, who has taught at AKL for over 20 years. 鈥淭his mindset will certainly matter as they grow 鈥 especially during their careers, where they will likely be asked to continually develop new skills and work through difficult projects.
Several AKL graduates have succeeded in pursuing arts careers in Tajikistan鈥, said Zulfiya. 鈥淥ne graduate runs a small architectural design company, 鈥楥ult Design鈥, in Dushanbe, while the other is a book illustrator.鈥
Each year, AKL staff organize an annual fine arts exhibition to showcase the students鈥 best pieces. These paintings are often presented as gifts to guests visiting the school.
In August 2019, the fine arts students were given a chance to present their artwork during a visit from Prince Aly Muhammad, the youngest son of His Highness the Aga Khan. One of these students was Grade 9 student Muzaffarova Gulazor, who has attended the fine arts club since she was in Grade 1. She said creating her paintings allows her to be 鈥榬elaxed and happy鈥.
鈥淸The club] improved my attention to the small details and [lets me explore] various techniques of painting, like [using] glass and stone fragments,鈥 said Muzaffarova, whose artwork has been exhibited elsewhere in Khorog. 鈥淭he [fine arts club has] impacted positively on my creative thinking鈥 can observe a great change in my overall outlook and personal characteristics.鈥
