The 2013 Wadadli Pen art challenge was Barbara Arrindell’s idea. Barbara is owner/manager of long time Wadadli Pen partner, the Best of Books and also an author of illustrated books. She had a notion that she might find her next drawing partner (the person to help her re-imagine that iconic Caribbean literary character, Anansi) through the Challenge. They were to draw Mrs. Anansi a as a modern Caribbean woman and two other scenes: Mrs Anansi cussing while Anansi looks sheepish, a family portrait with three children, Anansi driving a sports car, the Anansi home – ’round South, or the Anansi children flying kites. She’ll probably need to keep looking – most of the entries were from children who need a little time yet to develop their technical skills. The best of them though were selected for encouragement.
They include third placed junior winner, Jamika Nedd. Jamika is a nine year old student at St. John’s Catholic Primary where her teacher describes her as a very hard working student who is constantly writing and sketching. For her efforts in the art challenge Jamika receives gifts from Art at the Ridge, the Best of Books, and Arrindell herself. These are her drawings:
Wadadli Pen 