Americans, Canadians Swept Away at Couples Jamaica

Americans and Canadians were among guests being taken to a point of tears by an expo held at Couples Resort over the Christmas season of 2010.
From December 6-12, the bifocal expo titled ‘Be Swept Away by Jamaica’s Beauties’ as planned, sensitized many to the fine arts, creativity and culture of Jamaicans.
Over 100 pieces of the combined arts in literary works, photography, paintings, original and prints, as well as craft items were on display at the sports complex.Many were stirred, openly displaying emotions, by both the exposed fine arts and the information on the work and focus of the OAaSIS International foundation.

Visiting from Chicago, Adam Wilson was one guest brought to tears, while owners of Graffiti Gallery, Canada(Steve and Bonnie) invited hosts to showcase a similar expo and workshops with their children at their location. The expo was being held under the patronage of hotelier, Jane Issa, who is known for promoting strictly Jamaican talent within that hotel chain. Allowing artists volunteering with the foundation to earn an extra dollar for Christmas, the hotel took no portion of the gleanings, and hence 15 per cent was committed to OAaSIS.

OPENING OF EXHIBITION

At Monday’s opening in the conference room to a handful of guests, volunteering performers with OAaSIS Rollie Fresh and Boom Steppa, were present to do live performances. All week long, tourists and selected Negril residents from the host hotel and neighbouring resorts were treated to literary and visual works, originals and prints of photographs and paintings and craft items. They were also told about Jamaica’s artists and the foundation and the scope of art in Jamaica by journalist and artist Anthea McGibbon, who started the Foundation. The artists were chosen on the premise that they have been volunteering with the Foundation at the entity’s projects for youth 0-25 and included patron Barrington Watson, Howard Moo Young, Rico, Ewan McAnuff, Sharon Fox Mould.

Literary works were offered by Jermaine Gordon, Jamaica Guild of Artists, Joan Andrea Hutchinson and Joan Williams, while brief talks and YouTube clips about Jamaica’s artists, culture, the Foundation and the works were made. Nicholas daSilva was the only American allowed as an OaASIS volunteer, who donated his comic books on Jamaica’s reggae superstars. Although off to a slow start, sales increased as the days progressed.

The popular items were a “Pretty House” photo by Anthea McGibbon, ‘Smile Jamaica’ drawing by Howard Moo Young, print of ‘Mother and Child’ and postcards of Barrington Watson’s paintings, original ‘Bobo Shanti’ oil by Rico, print of ‘Standpipe’ by Ewan McAnuff.

McAnuff’s print of ‘Standpipe’ was bought by Jane Issa. Hotel representatives, Winifield Wellington, co-owner of Traveller’s Beach Resorts, Daniel Quetlas, general manager of Club Riu, Damian Salmon, manager of Rockhouse Hotel, were among the list of purchasers. International visitors, in their comments, commended efforts to expose fine artists through this means.

The projects of the OAaSIS Foundation include libraries, art departments, CXC and creative workshops at secondary and primary levels, and online career libraries. By March, the expo will be mounted again at that location.

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