Stimulating young imaginations

Now in its 19th year, this popular event continues to play a great role in encouraging kids’ interest in visual art and creative thinking.
Award-winning art teacher Sangkhom Thongmi, director of the centre, said drawing helps children tap into their imagination, and it is widely known that art offers children a chance to be creative and express themselves.
This year, the competition – organised under the theme “Drawing a dream with blissful biking and fun throughout the country” – attracted more than 500 schoolchildren from various parts of the country, including Loei, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Sa Kaeo and Ratchaburi provinces.
More importantly, the centre received three trophies for winners from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for the first time.
In the competition – divided into three categories for students in grades 1-3, 4-6 and 7-9 – the students were free to use their favourite materials, including crayons, chalk, oil pencils, poster colours and watercolours. The paper was provided for free.
Apart from aiming for a royal trophy, the winning students also received certificates and cash awards worth a total of Bt130,000 thanks to the key sponsor Michelin.
All winning paintings are being exhibited at the art centre.
Segsarn Trai-Ukos, country director of Michelin Siam, said the company had joined up with the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Art Centre to initiate this drawing contest with the aim of boosting awareness on various issues among youth through art.
“I needed to prove whether disadvantaged children, who come from low-income households with no basic knowledge or materials for drawing, can have artistic creativity. Eventually, I discovered that though they are shy and not assertive, they can develop creative ideas and translate them into the visual arts. Psychologically, drawing can enhance a child’s self-confidence,” he explained.
He pointed out that there were many ways of communication, and it was not just limited to speech, writing or behaviour.
Drawing is regarded as a universal language through which people can communicate effectively, he said.
“Drawing allows kids the freedom to naturally communicate their ideas and imagination through a frame of unfolding stories, colours and lines,” Segsarn said.
He added that in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the contest next year, Michelin would provide a greater contribution in order to encourage the engagement of more children.
The company will also discuss with the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Art Centre the development of activities and campaigns nationwide.
The three grand prize award winners are Achita Kaewkamkong for the grade 1-3 category; Tee Pitaksaringkarn at Chumchon Wang Saphung School for grade 4-6, and Thanathip Na-chalong at Kraengkro Wittaya School for grade 7-9.
Achita, a grade-3 student at Ban Thai Samakkee School in Sa Kaeo’s Ta Phraya district, is shy and his parents work in a tapioca field. The young student said drawing makes him happy, helps him be creative, concentrate and remain mentally calm. He said his teacher inspired him and helped him develop drawing skills.
“Next, I want to draw pictures of my warm family [parents, elder brother and sister], and the universe and space. Besides the Earth, the sun, moon, stars and meteorites, I believe there are aliens,” he added.
Despite being low on funds and drawing supplies, Sithichai Chanklai, an art teacher at Ban Thai Samakkee School, has never been discouraged from boosting children’s artistic skills over the past 15 years.
Besides getting his students to draw in class, he also provides free art lessons for a few hours after school.
Initially, he bought the materials with his own money, but he now gets financial support and supplies from both the school and the Community Children Foundation under the patronage of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
“Drawing offers many benefits. Kids who engage in this activity can grow up better developed. They have more concentration, tidiness and life learning skills,” the teacher said.
Apart from teaching at the school, Sithichai also contributes knowledge and skill to children in other communities.
Located on a 6-rai plot at Srisongkramwittaya School in Wang Saphung district, the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Art Centre has become both a learning centre and a tourist attraction.
It displays nationally and internationally award-winning paintings by local students and holds exhibitions on their lives. Sketches by artists from various disciplines, including cartoonists, are exhibited to provide inspiration and guidelines for beginners.
Today, Khru Sangkhom, the centre’s 63-year-old director, remains energised to dedicating his knowledge and skill for the benefit of youth, art teachers and the general public.
However, he said he was disappointed by the lack of art teachers at primary schools nationwide.
Moreover, many people still labour under the misunderstanding that art can be taught by anyone, he said.