Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Ian Borg together with Minister for Education Justyne Caruana opened the first open art exhibition in our country. This exhibition is located in the Marsa-Ħamrun Bypass and was held after a collaboration between Infrastructure Malta and MCAST.

This exhibition includes 10 large frames in which the artistic work of the students of the Institute for Creative Arts at MCAST can be exhibited. Eventually this exhibition will also be open to both local and even international artists, so that they can exhibit their work in a place that sees thousands of drivers every day.

Minister Ian Borg said that in recent weeks Infrastructure Malta has shown its commitment to combine art and infrastructure in the projects being carried out. This is also due to the fact that in recent weeks the public has been able to see a number of sculptures and other creative arts that will also be installed at the Marsa Junction Project. He claimed that this project in the Marsa-Ħamrun Bypass is the first of its kind in our country, as was the longest vertical garden of 350 metres next to this same exhibition. 

“As a Government, we are committed to continue provide infrastructure of the highest quality for our country whilst also striving to make it attractive as well, as we have done in this case. We want to make sure that we are the ones who encourage our students’ talent to increase and help them expose it as well “, said Minister Borg.

Minister Justyne Caruana emphasized that MCAST is always at the forefront to ensure that learning and tuition deems relevant to a fruitful work career. She said that practice and collaboration with the industry, including the public sector, are necessary for students to have a ‘hands-on’ experience and not just theory by itself. 

“It is worth mentioning that at the Institute for Creative Arts within MCAST we find several lecturers who are amongst the best artists we have in our country and now with great dedication they are passing on their skills to young students”, said Minister Caruana. She proceeded by stating that this joint project with Infrastructure Malta shows both the creativity and innovation of the lecturers and students of the College. The industry also shows that it is seeking such students with these skills and further who can bring experience and creativity to the workplace.

This first art collection was made by Ms Carmen Aquilina, Mr Pierre Mifsud and Mr Darren Tanti who are all art lecturers. The artists used a combination of photography, drawing, the digital realm and other media to bring out the artistic perspective of a number of local flowering species.

Also present was MCAST Principal, Prof James Calleja as well as lecturers and the students who created the artistic works.