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Mandeville Art Fair - 27 years of showcasing finest Jamaican art

Published:Friday | November 2, 2018 | 12:00 AM
The display area at a previous edition of the Mandeville Art Fair.
Visitors admiring paintings at the Mandeville Art Fair.
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The 27th annual Mandeville Art Fair and Craft Fair will begin on Thursday, November 8. The fair opens at 6 p.m., and there is a contribution of $2,000.

The Art Fair continues on Friday, November 9 and Saturday, November 10. Entry is free and open to the public. On Saturday at 10 a.m., there will be a craft fair and children's fun day.

The organisers of the Art Fair say that for over 26 years, this event has provided a unique experience to showcase the finest Jamaican art.

On the opening night, over 500 pieces of art in various media will be on display, and the guests will be fÍted to hors d'oeurvres and a wine bar.

The exhibition features the works of both young and established artists. The art pieces will be for sale starting opening night.

On display will be art submitted from the Junior Art Competition section featuring art students six-11 (youth category) and students aged 12-18 (junior category). This year's theme "Friendship" and the presentation to the Julia Lyn Scholarship awardee will be announced on opening night.

The Mandeville Art fair was the brainchild of Bishop M. Boyles' and a handful of faithful friends and supporters in 1991.

The first art fair was held in Bishop Boyles home to raise well much-needed funding for diocesan charities.

"We have continued his legacy, and in 2017, the Art Fair raised funds for 17 Catholic Diocesan institutions," a release from the organisers said.

One of beneficiaries is the Mustard Seed Gift of Hope.

Senior Administrator Ann Marie Parker Dale of the home said: "... Gift of Hope benefited tremendously from proceeds from the Mandeville Art Fair. Over the years, we have seen developments in both our residents and our infrastructure, and the proceeds from this event have assisted us greatly with these developments ... The partnership with the Art Fair gives life to our mandate of caring for the most vulnerable persons among us ... ."

 

Commitment to Jamaican Arts

 

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Mandeville Art Fair Committee has provided a stage for young and upcoming and established artist to showcase their work for 27 years.

The Mandeville Art Fair committee, over the years, has established a Junior Arts Competition for budding arts students.

On day two, selected students from will get a chance to interact with artists to discuss their creative process and techniques.

The Craft Fair, held on the third day, also presents an opportunity for children to express their creativity through art and craft at the children's craft workshop.

The Julia Lyn Scholarship commemorates the life of founding art fair committee member Julia Lyn, who passed away.

The scholarship is awarded to a deserving final-year student from Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, who demonstrates great artistic skill, is in good academic standing, and needs financial support.

Scholarship awardee for 2017 Tyrone Rowe said: "First, I want to thank the Almighty God for His provisions and grace towards me.

"The Julia Lyn Scholarship had come at a time when I really needed the help to complete my studies at the Edna Manley College. The money helped me in so many ways, paying some of my tuition and covering other expenses."

Archbishop Charles Dafour of Roman Catholic Diocese of Mandeville, in expressing his gratitude, said: "In the first letter of St Peter, he tells us, "Each one, as a good manager of God's different gifts, must use for the good of others the special gift he has received from God." (1 Peter 4:10) We are grateful each year for those artists among us who heed these words and freely and generously offer the gift of their artistic talents for the good of our brothers and sisters who are in need of our support.

"The Diocese of Mandeville is once more deeply grateful for the gift of these artists who annually form one of the most significant funders of the worthy projects of the diocese," he said. "You are good managers of God's gifts because you use your talents for the good of others. "Give, and it shall be given unto you" (Luke 6:38). We pray that good measure, pressed down, and shaken together and running over, shall be given back to you."