Jamaica 50th Independence Art Exhibition Celebrates the Visual Heritage of Jamaica
BOSTON, MA. –Plans are in high gear for the Jamaica 50th Independence Art Exhibition in Boston, MA. The exhibition will be held at the National Center of Afro-American Artists [NCAAA] and represents an ongoing series of activities in celebration of Jamaica’s 50th Independence Anniversary. Sponsored by the Boston area Jamaica 50th Anniversary Committee and NCAAA, the exhibition extends from October 18, 2012 to January 13, 2013. The Opening Reception will be held on Sunday, November 4, 2012, 3:00pm-6:00pm. The reception is free and open to the public.
Under the theme “Jamaican Artists: Celebrating 50 years of Independence”, the exhibition offers a rich and diverse introduction to the visual arts heritage of Jamaica. Featuring fifteen artists and more than 40 works, it honors the confidence, excellence and imagination of painters, sculptors and printmakers for Jamaica on the world stage where they have excelled. The exhibition presents Internationally-recognized contemporary artists Kofi Kayiga, Bryan McFarlane and Peter Wayne Lewis. It also includes Ralph Campbell, Colin Garland, Vernal Reuben, Barrington Watson and Gerry Dunlap. Among Jamaican artists working abroad are Albert Chong and Winsom. Godfrey Makonzi, originally from Uganda but now Jamaican, has several large ceramic sculptures of great distinction on display.
Taken together, the exhibition spans nearly fifty years and hints at the size and quality of art created by sons and daughters of Jamaica since its independence.
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“Artists from Jamaica have distinguished themselves in contemporary art for their originality, energy and imagination. They have dared to become themselves, breaking free of parochialism and colonialism to become a force in the international arena. They have accounted well for themselves over these five decades”, Edmund Barry Gaither, Director and Curator, Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists. Gaither further added, “The Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists is particularly proud to partner in presenting this exhibition because of its long interest in the art of Jamaica. It’s very first exhibition in January of l970 was Jamaica Art Since the Thirties”.
Denzil McKenzie, Jamaica Honorary Consul, Boston, says, “This is a very important exhibition of works of Jamaican artists. We are not likely to have another exhibition of this stature and magnitude for the foreseeable future. I am pleased to be associated with the exhibition and I invite art lovers throughout New England to join us to celebrate Jamaica’s 50th Independence Anniversary and enjoy the works of these talented and accomplished Jamaican artists.”
The National Center of Afro-American Artists is located at 300 Walnut Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts, 02119 [Tel] 617 442.8614. Website www.ncaaa.org
The Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 1pm until 5pm. Adult admission to the Museum is $4.00. Senior and student admission is $3.00.
For a calendar of events and more information about Boston area celebrations of Jamaica 50th Anniversary, visit http://www.jamaicaconsulboston.org/.