Following a path in the arts field isn’t considered a realistic career by most people’s standards; they may think it's a hobby to maintain on the side; but according to Priscilla Anandappa, nurturing your creative side is just as important, if not more so.

Educated as an Interior Designer, Art Therapist, Graphic Designer and also having studied Psychology and early childhood development, Priscilla went on to successfully establish herself as an interior designer and continued on for many years. After the birth of her 3 children, a change in career was needed. Deciding to make use of her other degrees and love for the arts, she went on to teach at a Montessori level before finally setting up her art therapy school the ‘Secret Garden’ on October 1^st 2009. 

The name was inspired by one of her favourite books ‘The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett’, “I love the way Colin was brought to this beautiful garden and gradually gained confidence, that’s what I want to do for my students.” A skilled artist herself, Priscilla believes an art education is just as essential as an academic one, as all children should be allowed the freedom to explore their creative side.

Teaching kids between the ages of 5 to 15 years, she explained her teaching method as guiding them on how to use materials that fuel their own creatively instead of just telling them what to draw and states that “art has no boundaries as it is about free expression”.

The children are taught not to judge art but to respect each others work even if they don’t understand it. “Children are more open to new concepts and art teaches you to think out of the box. Look at objects like household appliances, technological gadgets, gardens or automobiles; they were all designed by someone who thought out of the box,” she said.

Children are taught valuable lessons such as focusing on completing projects, a weakness even Priscilla admits she used to have when painting, and learning self confidence. “I teach the history of art which is very important, if Picasso was taught to do exactly this or that, he won’t be Picasso. Vincent Van Gogh is a master but nobody appreciated his work until after he died, I remind the students this so they understand they should always follow their own creative ideas no matter what anyone else thinks.”

Eager to promote creativity amongst everyone she also set up the Charcoal Gallery and Café. Tucked away in a quiet corner of Mount Lavinia, the gallery and adjoining café was created as a venue for anyone with the desire to promote art, music and even poetry, or simply enjoy the relaxed creative ambiance of the place. Art, music therapy and digital photography classes are available for any age group at the gallery.

 

 

The café is all supporting local business. From serving Hansa coffee to selling delicious cakes made by stay at home mums; Priscilla is keen on promoting Sri Lankan produce.

The adjoining gallery encourages everyone from Kala Pola artists to students to showcase their work, “Musicians and artistes can’t sustain themselves on their own through their work. The gallery gives them a space to be creative at an affordable cost. Our people have the talent to do our own thing without following western ideas; we just need to provide them the support they need to help them achieve their dreams. That’s what is really important to me,” said Priscilla.

 

 

When it comes to her art work, Priscilla prefers to work with water colours and cites nature and wildlife as her inspirations. Her children are all creative as well, something she’s quite happy about, “My oldest son works here sometimes and they all love the café and want to be involved in some way.” Talking about her aspirations for the future, she says her dream would be to own a ‘garden gallery’ someday and is already buying little items she hopes to add to it, including an out door swing. 

For now, her focus is on slowly getting the gallery off the ground and firmly establishing it among the art crowd. Though smaller than most others, Priscilla says she prefers it that way as a place can lose its appeal if it gets too big; plus, with barely any cafes or galleries in the area, there’s plenty of optimism for Charcoal.

 

You can reach Priscilla at [email protected]

 

 

 

By Lake Argent

Pics Nisal Baduge