By: Irma Dwi Savitri

The Young Artists Network (YAN) of BINUS SCHOOL Simprug was introduced in April 2022 and opened to early years 3 to grade 5 students who have talent and passion in visual arts. Around 65 students expressed an interest in joining YAN. As a result, we held an audition from November 29 to December 2, 2022, and about 33 students were chosen to be members of YAN.

The goals of Young Artists Network of BINUS SCHOOL Simprug are to:

• Give an opportunity to our young artists to showcase their talents in visual arts
• Develop teamwork and network among our Primary Years Programme young artists
• Create a pool of talents for future competitions

On February 23, 2022, YAN had an opportunity to participate in the Mural Competition “ARTSDEMIC” organized by BINUS School Bekasi. This group  competition was opened to students in grade 4 – 9. We supported two groups from our YAN to join the competition. One group from grade 4 and another from grade 5. We practiced for this competition because it was our first time after the Covid-19 pandemic. We had three practice sessions after school, each lasting about an hour. Students were enthusiastic about the competition throughout the practice. These exercises assisted the students in developing a shared understanding of how the artwork must be completed in three hours. I observed how the children demonstrated the attributes of the IB learner profile, particularly risk-takers, inquirers, communicators, and reflective.

In March 2022, grades 4 and 5 members of YAN had an opportunity to participate in an online Comic Contest organized by Mentari Bookstore. The theme of the contest was Life with Pancasila Values. A total of nine students participated in this competition. In this competition, students needed to record their own art process, staring from 50 percent (from halfway through) to 100 percent (until the drawing is complete) with a maximum duration of 45 seconds in timelapse format. Participants can start to record the documentation from 50 percent (halfway through) of the drawing until the drawing is finished. Not only the video but students needed to submit their comics as well as the synopsis of their work.

Here are some of the comics done by the students.

YAN members also assisted the school during consultation days last February and May. They demonstrated their talent by sharing their artistic abilities. YAN members were in charge of teaching future BINUSIAN students how to make handicrafts such as a pencil holder made of origami paper and a koi in a pond using paper with water colours and coloured pencils. These experiences educated them to be risk-takers, communicators, and thinkers. They also showed their leadership skills. They were delighted and enthusiastic to welcome prospective BINUSIANS.

The Young Artists Network’s biggest responsibility was when we had to paint our second-floor wall in Tower A with the six BINUSIAN values. This initiative included all YAN members from early years to grade 5. Before doing the painting, we conducted a workshop for all YAN members. This workshop assisted all members in developing a common understanding of what a mural is. After the session, we gathered all the students to draw their own interpretations of the BINUSIAN values, namely, striving for excellence, perseverance, integrity, respect, innovation and teamwork.

We chose the drawing that symbolizes the BINUSIAN SPIRIT from all of the submissions. On the second-floor wall in Tower A, we sketched and painted. To paint the wall, we had to divide the time. Ms. Ariane Isti Prihatini, who also teaches visual arts, supervised early years 3 – grade 2, and I supervised grades 3, 4 and 5. We completed the mural after school. The members were ecstatic and overjoyed. They were disappointed when the time for them to paint was up because we had to promptly dismiss them. 

All members of the school community can see the masterpiece of the members of the Young Artists Network on the second floor in Tower A.