Ten youths show their work at the Ismet Güney Art Centre in Nicosia

By Heidi Trautmann

I have known Semral Öztan for many years and I admire her enthusiasm and her contribution in sharing her knowledge to people of all ages and in promoting ceramic art. I have visited her studio and I really do envy the students who have the opportunity to work there because it is really inspiring. I have interviewed her for my book ‘Art and Creativity in North Cyprus, Volume II’

http://www.heiditrautmann.com/category.aspx?CID=7336746377#.Wfine1tL-Uk

I wrote reviews on many competitions, workshops and exhibitions she initiated as President of the Ceramists Association which you can find on my website.

For this year’s exhibition I came early so I caught Semral and friends in the final touches of preparation for the opening evening, and it really looked very touching to me. I had the pleasure of meeting two young students, Ezgi and Sezgi, they showed me their work, and chatted with me in very good English about their experiences. I asked them how their teacher would work with them and they answered that Semral Hanim, would first ask them to create something based on a story, on something important that had happened during the past week, but the rest of the time, that was when their mind and hands were loose, they could create whatever they wanted.

I enjoyed the time before the opening because I had room for my thoughts and my camera. I later saw the photos of the opening evening and it must have been real fun.

Teachers such as Semral have the most important influence on children’s development, we must support them. 

The exhibition is open until 03 November 2017.