Three years ago, the Art Club at Sogakofe Senior High School was almost forgotten. The brushes had dried, the paints were fading, and the once-vibrant creative space had gone silent. But one teacher, Desmond Assan, saw more than dust and disinterest; he saw potential.
Speaking to Joy Prime’s Lois Shola Adeyemi, he recounted how the club was “in a coma” when he joined the school, with no active members or space to create. Driven by passion, he decided to bring it back to life.
“When I came here, there was no art club, and that really broke my heart. So I started it again — with just a few students who had the interest. Today, the club is alive again, and it’s growing,” he said.
The revival, however, hasn’t come easy. Without a dedicated art studio, the students meet after class in the school garden; a patch of open ground now turned into their creative sanctuary. There, under the open sky, they sketch, paint, and sculpt, transforming ordinary moments into stories of hope and identity.
“We work here because we have no studio,” the teacher continued. “Sometimes the wind blows our papers away, or it rains and we have to stop. But the passion these students have keeps us going.”
One of the students, Precious, shared the story behind a painting done by her classmate, Bismark. She explained that his work was inspired by his childhood struggles in the Oti Region, where he and his family often went days without enough food.
“Bismark told me this painting reminds him of a friend named Dziedzorm — the one who always told him to smile, no matter what life brings. His art speaks about hope and never giving up,” she said softly, standing beside his canvas.
The club has served its purpose as many students testified the tremendous change they have seen after joining. The discipline and dedication they explained, has shaped them leaveing a positive mark on their other school work and subjects. Esther, also a student and member of the club said being part of the club has changed her completely.
“Before I joined, I didn’t even know how to draw properly,” she said with a shy smile. “Now, I can paint, do beadwork, and express myself in ways I never thought I could. The club has taught me patience and confidence.”
For many of the students, art has become a language and a way to express emotions, struggles, and dreams that words alone can’t carry. The teacher says his biggest dream is to see the students working in a proper art studio. A safe and inspiring space where they can freely create, display their works, and nurture their talents without fear of the weather.
“They need a place they can call their own,” he said. “A space where they can leave their pieces, come back the next day, and continue. These children are gifted; they deserve that.”
From the ashes of a forgotten club, a thriving creative family has emerged. The young artists of Sogakofe SHS are painting hope; one brushstroke at a time.
Brushstrokes of Brilliance: Focuses on the young artists of Sogakofe SHS. The full feature documentary premieres soon on Joy Prime.
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