By Justin Whyte,
Entertainment Editor
OUR ARTS and culture are as beneficial to us as science and technology and should be treated with equal seriousness."
So said Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke in his programme message to the 7th Caribbean Hall of Fame Awards over the weekend.
This philosophy was probably what Garnet Reid, executive chairman of the Caribbean Hall of Fame Awards and his committee had in mind, when they conceptualised the inauguration of a Hall of Fame for Excellence in the Performing and Visual Arts and by extension Sport.
The Hall of Fame inductions were held at Kings House, Kingston Saturday night and boasted an impressive line-up of artistes and a well-formatted programme. However, it was flawed in production, in terms of organisation of recipients and the reading of long citations, among other things.
Music
In her message Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, spokesman on culture for the Opposition JLP said: "We have wonderful music, great cuisine, beautiful people, fantastic dancers, great singers, wonderful artistes and a people with a vibrant culture."
And the presentations by Pat Gooden, the Carifolk Singers, Pam Hall, Taneisha McGee, Ricardo from the Stella Maris Dancers and the Excellence Dancers, from EXCED, all proved that statement.
Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, in his message read by Phyllis Mitchell, Minister of State in Education and Culture, spoke too of the significance and importance of the arts.
"Many persons can now feel confident that they too can make an impact on regional development through their involvement in the various art forms," read the Prime Minister's message.
Several such persons were presented with plaques and citations that night. Among them were: for visual arts -- Gloria Escoffery, painting; Everald Brown, painting, sculpture, music; Norma Rodney Harrack, ceramics; Seya Parboosingh, painting and Gene Pearson painting.
Education
Those who were honoured for contributing to the development of education in the region were Dr. Don Wilson, director of School of Education UWI, Mona; Dr. Joyce Robinson, consultant, for her work in pioneering the Jamaica Library Service and JAMAL and Dr. Ruby King, educator and tutor at Excelsior High School.
Dr. Alfred Sangster, former principal of the College of Arts, Science and Technology (CAST) -- now University of Technology (UTech) -- received an award for community service. Also in that category, Dr. Barry Chevannes, chairman of the Institute of Jamaica and Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, UWI, Mona, was recognised for his work at the university and the wider community.
Music inductees were Rita Marley, widow of reggae legend Bob Marley; Chris Blackwell, music tycoon and Kenneth Khouri, pioneer in the Jamaican recording industry.
Printer, publisher and Member of Parliament for Clarendon, Mike Henry, was inducted for his work in the printing industry. Barrington (Bari) Johnson, dramatist, elocutionist, playwright and cultural agent, was inducted for his over 30 years of contribution to Jamaica's culture.
The ailing Sheila Barnett, past principal of the Jamaica School of Dance, was escorted on stage to receive her plaque amidst shouts of approval and a standing ovation. Eddie Thomas, dancer, was the other recipient in the dance category.
For the performing arts, Charles Hyatt was inducted and recognised for his over 50 years in the theatre.
Sporting inductees
The sporting fraternity inductees included Courtney Walsh, Jimmy Adams and Michael Holding for cricket and the Reggae Boyz for football.
Manuel Menoive, intuitive Cuban painter, was also inducted. So too were Lloyd Reckord for theatre; Carey Robinson, director, writer, producer and broadcaster and Lennie Little-White, playwright, producer and film director.
Presenters included Canon Weeville Gordon, who deputised for the Governor-General, Clover Thompson-Gordon, chairman of the Caribbean Hall of Fame Awards organising committee, Lensley Wolfe, Chief Justice, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange and Phyllis Mitchell.
An overview of the awards was given by Dr. Rutty Mitchell, member of the Hall of Fame organising committee, while Michael Anthony Cuffe and Kathy Owen guided the proceedings.
