Tesi Johnson, Gleaner Writer

Ewan McAnuff (right), one of the artists whose works are on show at Oakton House, joined Donald Campbell for a drink at the one-year anniversary of the opening of Oakton House and Artist, Vivianne Burnett (right), and Yvonne McCalla-Sobers (second right) in conversation, while another guest views the pieces on display.

Oakton House has been home to the Jamaica Guild of Artists (JGA) for one year now, and on Sunday, January 7, the group celebrated the anniversary of the opening of their gallery at 5-7 Hagley Park Road, St. Andrew.

As part of the celebrations, the guild kicked off an exhibition of works by some of Jamaica's acclaimed artists and also pieces from a few emerging artists. The show will run until February 14, and the gallery at that time is interspersed by orchids from Sonia Richards' greenhouse.

Proceeds from this exhibit will be donated to the Bellevue Hospital, which caters for people suffering from mental illness.

"The Jamaica Guild of Artists has grown from strength to strength in our gallery," said Sharon Fox-Mould, president. "The discipline itself does not provide for working as a community," she explained and acknowledged the efforts of, "a focused group of artists who have toiled together in getting the gallery going".

Hugh Porter, chief executive officer of Bellevue, was on hand to hail the efforts of the guild in contributing to the financing of the hospital for the mentally ill.

"It has been said that the Bellevue Hospital is to be closed soon," he said. "I would like to say publicly that only a mad man would want to see Bellevue closed!" he continued.

Among those who soaked up the beautiful artwork were Pinksque Green; Devon Harvey; Jewellers, Demaris Mayne and Paul Smith; Wayne Lawrence; Patsy Mair; George Rodney; Trene Sinclair; Betty Glanville; Phyll Williams; Edgar Fuller; Vivianne Burnett and Yvonne McCalla-Sobers.