Negril’s Art And Craft Expo Plans Special Treat
Published:Tuesday | February 21, 2017 | 12:00 AMAdrian Frater
WESTERN BUREAU:
Art and craft lovers should be in for a special treat this Thursday and Friday in western Jamaica, as the work of some of the finest exponents of this important aspect of the nation's culture will be on display in a marketplace-style setting at Woodstock, Negril.
"We are doing to this to draw attention to the excellent work being done by some of Jamaica's finest exponents of art and craft," said Ryan Morrison, CEO of Kushartjamaica, who is behind the staging of the event. "We see this as a platform to create significant exposure for the excellent art and craft that we are producing here in Jamaica."
Morrison also sees this as an opportunity to create a united front among artists, who mostly operate on their own with very little interaction with their peers.
"We represent an important facet of Jamaica's culture, but for the most part, we are operating on our own with limited interaction," said Morrison. "We are hoping that this event will bring the fraternity closer together, because real strength lies in unity."
Great opportunity
Morrison, who views the event as an opportunity of a lifetime for true art and craft lovers, says it will present them with a chance to add important pieces to their collection.
"This is a chance to see the work of some of our best craft makers and woodcarvers and interact with them," said Morrison. "This is an opportunity for art lovers to secure excellent additions to their collection and for hoteliers to get new pieces for their lobbies and offices."
In addition to Morrison, who is a household name among frequent visitors to Negril, the other artists who will be on location includes the likes of Jeffrey Samuels, who got a letter of commendation from President Barack Obama for a portrait he did of him; Lennock Coke, Raymond Jackson and Peter Peart.
"We are really excited about this and we want the excitement to spread to the public," said Morrison. "We really want to share this experience with our Jamaican people as well as our visitors."