Sana Rose, Contributor
'Three Little Fishes' by Stuart Reeves, gold medal winner in the 'Abstract/Creative' category of the National Photography Competition 2004.
IT IS fitting that this year's theme for Jamaica Festival 2005 is "Ketch Di Vibes". A colloquial phrase derived from our ever so colourful daily conversations, the theme captures the atmosphere of excitement and spectacle anticipated in this year's cultural offerings of the Festival that is planned and implemented by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC). This burst of activity and thrilling artistic expressions will not only include the performing, culinary, entertainment and literary arts but also the visionary outpourings of a number of the nation's emerging, mid-career and professional visual artists.
Since the Commission's inception 42 years ago, the Visual Arts Programme has been a part of the JCDC's assemblage of cultural vibes that includes arts competitions, national observances and celebrations of important icons and milestones such as the Independence Celebrations of which, the Festival is a part, as well as spirited and wholesome family entertainment that reverberates with the social and political pulse of the country. It is therefore no surprise that a host of the nation's established artists gained their initial exposure from the annual staging of the fine arts and photography competitions, or contributed to the growth and development of the programme as part of the organising committee or the panel of adjudicators. Among this distinguished group are artists and photographers such as Fitz Harrack, Osmond Watson, Barrington Watson, Dr. David Boxer, Dr. Nadine Scott, Susan Alexander, Colin Garland, Kofi Kayiga, Mallica 'Kapo' Reynolds, Roy Reid, Norma Rodney Harrack, Austin Campbell, William 'Woody' Joseph, Cecil Cooper, Maria La Yacona, Howard Moo Young, Dr. Owen Minott, Amador Packer, Monica Da Silva and Donnette Zacca.
RESTRUCTURING PHASE
After many years of hosting separate fine arts and photography competitions which have been the main aspect of the
programme, these two components have been brought together under one name The National Visual Arts Competition that is now organised by one committee rather than two. As part of the annual assessment of the programme, a restructuring phase took place over the four months that succeeded the staging of last year's competitions. As with previous committees, the new committee is comprised of a mix of accomplished artists, art
educators and enthusiasts. The members of the new Committee formed in January this year are co-chairs Mrs. Allison Sinclair and Mr. Howard Moo Young, Mr. David Muir, Mrs. Queenie Nembhard-Morris, Ms. Verona Barnes and Ms. Donnette Zacca. Their combined experience, expertise and enthusiasm paint a fertile canvas of immense possibilities for broadening the programme. These possibilities include: the competition's reach and structural intricacies; the unearthing and exposure of talented artists; the growth of art appreciation of the wider public; the building of private and corporate art collections from work sold in the National Exhibition of awardees; and the creation of opportunities to expand the skills and awareness of artists at large through developmental workshops staged annually.
With the restructuring of the competition, comes a heightened sensibility of its image, structure and the need to widen participation. With these issues in mind, conspicuous methods have been employed to attract the eye as after all, we are in the business of the visual arts and therefore it is reasonable to use the same means to obtain visibility in the public eye. New, colourful, eye-catching and user-friendly entry forms and revised rules and regulations, brochures and flyers have been designed and distributed at strategic points and promotional visits and contact made with artistic groups and schools.
A BIGGER and BETTER competition is anticipated this year and the steady growth of entries over the past years proves that artists recognise its merits as national recognition and exposure are unparalleled benefits for any artist. National Gold, silver and bronze medals as well as merit certificates will be awarded this year in addition to special prizes worth more than $500,000 courtesy of corporate sponsors such as Heart Trust/NTA and National Commercial Bank who have joined the partnership. The public is invited to "Ketch di visual vibes" at the Exhibition Opening & Awards Reception at the Shortwood Teachers' College located at 77 Shortwood Road, Kingston 8 on July 12, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. The exhibition will be staged in the college's Assembly Hall from July 12 to August 6.
Entry forms and the revised rules and regulations are available at all JCDC offices islandwide and can be downloaded from the Commission's website: www.jcdc.org.jm. The Visual Arts Department can be contacted at Head Office: 3-5 Phoenix Avenue, Kingston 10 and at telephone numbers 926-5726-9 and email address: jcdc@cwjamaica.com. Deadline for all entries is Friday, June 3, 2005 no later than 4:00 p.m. at all JCDC offices.
Sana Rose is the Visual Arts Administrator at the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission.
