The Leulumoega Fou School of Fine Arts is gearing up for a double celebration to be held on the 1st of December this year. 

The two major occasions will mark the end of a three-year-journey for two students graduating with Diploma in Fine Arts as well as the school's graduation and the second occasion is the school's biggest exhibition for this year. 

Thirty students are working tirelessly for the showcase as they see it as an opportunity to display what they have learnt thss far in hope to secure a future for them in art. 

The Leulumoega Fou School of Fine Arts was founded by Master Artist and teacher Ernesto Coter who lived in Samoa with his wife Maria from 1972 to 2003. 

The school and museum is located in Malua and it is funded and run by the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (C.C.C.S.). 

The Leulumoega Fou School of Fine Arts is headed by Pelenato Liufau as the principal and a former graduate of the art school and student of Mr. Coter. Liufau who also graduated from the C.C.C.S.' Malua Theological College last year with his wife, Susana Liufau. 

"I started back as the principal in March of this year. And when I started, there were only two third year students and those two will be graduating this year," said Mr. Liufau.

"The other one is from Magiagi named James and the only girl enrolled at the art school who was a contestant for this year's Miss Samoa pageant, Moelotoleulalemamae Vitolia Tuilaepa-Tiatia. 

"The exhibition we are planning to have at the end of the year will coincide with our graduation and is going to be our fifth art show for this year. 

"But it will be our biggest exhibition of the year to mark the end of this year's work and to celebrate our two graduates who have completed their Diplomas in Fine Art. 

"Six students will be graduating with Certificates of Fine Art and the graduation will be held on the 1st of December at 5 pm. 

"The hope is to give our students exposure and to showcase their talents, hard-work and all that they've been taught throughout the year."

The exhibition according to Mr. Liufau is based on the theme, "To sail with faith and God". 

All the paintings and art work that will be on display depicts Samoa's journey as a nation and speaks of its own unique stories or tales from the myths of Samoan ancestors. 

The art works vary from prehistoric to contemporary, stories of survival, the arrival and influence of Christianity in Samoa and as a Christian nation founded on God. 

It will include drawing, painting, graphic designs, mosaic and stain glass, sculpture woodworks, carving and so forth. 

"In Samoa, the theology and teachings of the bible go hand in hand with our culture and the stories of our ancestors. From the beautiful creation of the world to how our ancestors lived in the olden days, those are the kind of stories we hope to portray through our arts. 

"There are also art works of how life has changed in Samoa over the years. These arts are created from photos and stories, we have seen in books and on the internet and we used it as inspirations for our students to draw and paint these stories as a way to tell these stories and pass it down to next generation."

Mr. Liufau has expressed that there is a lot of talent and potential in the students who are enrolled at the school. 

"Some of the students did not know anything about painting and art when they first started. These are the students who could not get a spot to go to other universities while some wanted to try something different from the usual path every student takes after college. 

"The youngest student we have at the school is 14-years-old. 

"It was difficult at first as the teachers tried their best to teach the basics as some of these students had no knowledge or experience of what art is. 

"We also had to make sure that they are interested. So far, I can honestly say, judging from the work and the effort they have showed throughout the year, our first and second year students have a lot of potential and will make it out on their own after they graduate from here. 

"We still feel that three years is not enough to prepare or train students so they can be able to stand on their own two feet when they leave this school. 

"However, we try our best to teach them everything within the three years. We also believe that the students can be self-employed after they spending three years with us because there are a lot of different skills and talents being taught here. 

"I think for this year, we have worked on five different churches in the country constructing podiums, pulpit and stain glass for these churches. So, I think they are capable of earning and starting their own businesses from creating sign boards, printing materials, sewing and selling arts. 

"However, we are trying to get into partnership with Small Businesses Enterprises so they can help us teach our students on how to run their own businesses in the future."

Mr. Liufau said they are also hoping to inspire more Samoan girls to join the school.

"I think that was one of the reasons why we encouraged Moeloto to run in the Miss Samoa pageant. It was not only because of her values and potentials, but we saw it as an opportunity to inspire and encourage young Samoan women to enroll at the art school. 

"Over the years, this has been a male dominated school and we hardly have any girls here. It's sad because if you visit other countries, you will see that the majority of those who are enrolled in art schools are female. 

"But we hope to inspire more girls to take up art and join our school. The Samoa Qualification Authority (S.Q.A.) provides financial assistance every year for our students which mean, all the students enrolled at the school are on full scholarships, with the hope to encourage more female."

Mr. Liufau urged members of the public to join their biggest art exhibition and graduation next month. 

Students at the Leulumoega Fine Arts can receive a certificate of fine arts after completion of two years and a diploma of fine arts after three years. The Samoa Qualifications Association controls the school curriculum as an approved Post School Education and Training Provider; therefore students are able to receive legitimate accreditations for their studies.