From Senses to History: Education Officers Immerse Themselves in Art at MAVC

The Mikiel Anton Vassalli College (MAVC) Malta School of Art recently welcomed Education Officers (EOs) from the Directorate for Early Years, Languages and Humanities (DELH), together with their Director, Dr Alice Micallef, for an inspiring and immersive professional learning experience that celebrated the power of art in education.

The visit opened with a presentation by Head of School, Mr Roderick Camilleri, who introduced the School of Art’s vision, facilities, and commitment to creative, high-quality arts education.

Participants then took part in a hands-on workshop led by Art EO Dr Charmaine Zammit, exploring sensory awareness and emotional literacy through guided observation, mark-making, and mindful drawing. The session highlighted how artistic practice can enrich learning, reflection, and wellbeing across educational contexts.

The experience continued beyond the school walls with a visit to the Grand Master’s Palace, guided by History EO Mr Raymond Spiteri and Heritage Malta curators, where the group engaged with Francisco Goya’s powerful Disasters of War etchings—connecting artistic expression with history and contemporary realities.

The programme concluded back at the MAVC Malta School of Art with a visit to the printing studio, where the Head of School linked Goya’s work to printmaking traditions and introduced participants to the school’s presses, techniques, and printmaking courses.

Asked to comment about this collaborative initiative, Head of Mikiel Anton Vassalli College (MAVC) Mr Galea said “This successful collaboration between DELH, the MAVC Malta School of Art, and Heritage Malta offered a dynamic and memorable learning journey, demonstrating how art can connect the senses, history, and modern life, while reinforcing MAVC’s role as a leading centre for visual arts education in Malta”.