By Damion Mitchell, Staff Reporter
Comedian Oliver Samuels (centre), jokes with Sue Cobb, United States Ambassador to Jamaica, and Christopher Blackwell, music producer and entrepreneur, following the 2003 Institute of Jamaica Musgrave Awards ceremony yesterday in front of the institute's East Street offices in downtown Kingston. Samuels and Blackwell both got Musgrave Medals. - Norman Grindley /Staff Photographer
THE INSTITUTE of Jamaica's Musgrave Medals were yesterday awarded to 12 persons (one posthumously and one in absentia) for stellar contributions to culture and science.
Overcast skies and intermittent drizzle which lasted throughout most of the function, were hardly a noticeable backdrop to the beautiful burgundy and beige decor of the presentation venue in front of the institute's offices on East Street, downtown Kingston.
The awardees, described by Professor Barry Chevannes, the institute's council chairman as, "light to the darkness of ignorance, chaos and despair" were diverse, but each committed to national development.
"What the awardees share in common is a passion for something... and a vision to apply our passion in a positive way," said Dr. Elaine Fisher, marine zoologist and environmental scientist, and a Silver Medal recipient, who replied on behalf on the awardees.
First awarded in 1897, the Musgrave Medals are presented annually to individuals who have made instrumental contributions to heritage and science.
Dr. Franklyn Prendergast and Christopher Blackwell were the recipients of the Gold Medals.
Other Silver medallists were Cynthia Wilmot, for contributions to journalism and film, Oliver Samuels, for theatre, and Kenneth Khouri (posthumously) for the recording industry.
In the Bronze category, Glenroy "Ernie" Smith and Clarice Crawford were rewarded for music, Albert Artwell for art, C. Garth Sanguinetti, also for art (jewellery) and Roy St. Claire Thomas, film restoration.
Kevin Brown, 27, the island's youngest Justice of the Peace, received the Musgrave Youth award. Brown a web programmer, who has represented Jamaica at the United Nations Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS and at several other international events, serves many organisations including the Vauxhaul and Camperdown High Schools where he is a board member.
He is president of the McIntyre Villa Sunrise Youth Club and chairman of the Brown's Town Development Committee.
During the function, plaques were unveiled in recognition of the contributions of Edna Manley, Sir. Philip Sherlock, CLR James and Professor Rex Nettleford, fellows of the Institute of Jamaica. Of the four, Professor Nettleford is the only surviving fellow.
