'Dreamscape' by 18-year-old Chezz Ray Benjamin of Seaforth High.
FOR THE second consecutive year, Seaforth High School from St. Thomas has proven itself king of the pack, emerging overall winners in the Institute of Jamaica's (IOJ) 2005 National Exhibition for Art and Craft in Schools. Copping two of four awards, Seaforth High was awarded the Institute of Jamaica Trophy for best overall in the exhibition, and the Robert G.B. Verity Trophy for originality and creativity for the second consecutive year.
UNIQUE AND
OUTSTANDING TALENT
Stanford Watson, who delivered the judges' report, had high praises for the unique and outstanding talent that resonated throughout the pieces submitted by the Seaforth team. In his delivery of the judges' report, Watson stated, "There were some conceptual query and there was overall excitement in their presentation."
Head of the Seaforth High Visual Arts Department, Dwight Dawkins, beamed with joy as he reflected on the remarkable performance of his students. "This exhibition is a very good work by the Institute of Jamaica. It has helped to motivate the students so much. Each year they come here, they try to examine the works of other entrants so that they can assess the shortcomings of their own work and improve on them."
The students echoed similar sentiments and were quite pleased with the results of their labour.
Eighteen years old Junior Ramsay, with a piece entitled, Camouflage, stated, "I feel very good to know that hard work does pay off."
Seaforth was commended for the wide variety of artworks presented. These included collage, decorative craft, print making, drawings, and ceramics, among other art forms. The canvas painting Caribbean Beauty by Linley Williams, African Rose by Ranaan Robertson and the drawing Age as portrayed by Sasha Gay Raymond are spectacular pieces that shows much talent and promise from these students.
Though the Judges were overall disappointed with the "paucity of three dimensional works" submitted, they lauded the new entrants for the "refreshing" feel they brought to the exhibition.
The best new entrant for 2005 was Innswood High School. They received a certificate of merit and a $10,000 cash award courtesy of the Government's Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Funds, to assist in purchasing art supplies.
Also copping top honours were Mona High School, which received The Institute of Jamaica Shield for Outstanding Craftsmanship and Ensom City Primary were awarded
The Hugh A. Dawes Trophy for the best overall Primary School in the exhibition. Both schools received a cash award of $10, 000 from CHASE Funds for purchasing art supplies. Garvey Maceo High and Spalding High were awarded Certificates of Merit for Painting and Design and Composition respectively. Each received a cash award of $10, 000 from CHASE Funds.
Teacher trophies were donated by Wright's Jewellery Store, Cecil Simpson Jewellers, Tropical Jewellers and Gaverly McGowan and Dwayne Lyttle of the Institute of Jamaica.
Since its inception in 1937, the National Exhibition for Art and Craft in Schools has sought to hone the artistic talents of children in High, Technical High Schools, All Age and Primary Schools across the island. Twenty schools participated in the 2005 exhibition, with entries in painting, drawing, graphics, sculpture, collage and montage, woodwork, tie and dye among other categories. The schools were: Bamboo Primary and Junior High, Calabar Junior High, Claude McKay High, Dunoon Park Technical High, Garvey Maceo High, Guy's Hill High, Haile Selaassie High, Innswood High, Mile Gully High, Mona High, Ocho Rios High, Rusea's High, Seaforth High, Spalding High,
St. Andrew High School for Girls, St. Thomas Technical, Tarrant High School, Water Mount All Age, Seaward Primary and Junior High and Ensom City Primary School.
The Award ceremony was held in the Lecture Hall of the Institute of Jamaica on Wednesday January 18, 2006.
