Staff WriterMBJ Airports Limited, operator of Sangster International Airport (SIA), Jamaica’s leading gateway to the world, hosted the 24th Art of Reggae Exhibition, a “Trashion Show”, dance and musical performances headlined by Agent Sasco on Friday 30 November, 2018.
The event was held as the culmination of year-long celebrations marking MBJ’s 15th anniversary as operator of SIA and featured the Art of Reggae Exhibition displaying the top -100 selections of the International Reggae Poster Contest, a “Trashion Show” presenting apparel made from recycled materials designed by members of the airport staff and performances by a dance troupe from Edna Manley College, Tennshann Invasion Band and headliner Agent Sasco who thrilled fans with back-to-back hits throughout his hour-long set.
The courtyard outside the departures terminal surrounding the new I Love Montego Bay sign was transformed for the soiree with a stage and red carpet and tents displaying the reggae posters. Proceedings kicked off with the announcement of winners of the School Art Competition, organized in a partnership between MBJ and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, which had poster and 3D/Mosaic categories at the primary and secondary levels.
Cornwall College’s piece by Curtis Clennon took the JMD 60,000 first-place prize in the High School Poster contest with St. Thomas Technical taking the JMD 30,000 second-place prize. Burmar High took first in the High School 3D/Mosaic category and Green Pond High came in second. Roehampton Primary took first in the Primary Poster contest while Sommerton All Age took second. Independence City Primary came first in the Primary 3D/Mosaic contest while Mona Prep came in second place.
The “Trashion Show” followed with contestants representing 10 companies operating at Sangster International Airport. Participants included Judith Williams of Relay and Island News operated by Paradies Lagarde, Stanford Hinds of Guardsman Limited, Tanya Taylor of Jamaica Customs Agency, Samantha Williams of AMSTAR, Joan Pennicott of American Airlines, Jermaine Williams of AJAS Limited, Stacy-Ann Blair of World Duty Free, Tameisha Patterson of Express Catering, Kerry-Ann Miller of Virgin Atlantic Airlines and Jamila Myers of Express Catering. The designer representing Express Catering took first place and walked away with cash prize of JMD 50,000, Virgin Atlantic and VIP Attractions tied for second place and were each awarded JMD 25,000, while American Airlines was placed third and JMD 15,000.
The team of judges for both the Student Art Competition and “Trashion Show” was comprised of Judith Moore and Shun Lawton, Education Officers at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Earl’s Fashions & Tailoring CEO Earl Bailey, Airport Coordinator Sharna Mendez and Art Consultant and Curator Gilou Bauer.
This was the second year in a row MBJ hosted the Art of Reggae Exhibition, founded by the late Michael “Stylee” Thompson and fellow graphic designer Maria Papaefstathiou to showcase submissions from artists across the globe that pay homage to reggae music and support a vision of building a Reggae Hall of Fame in Downtown Kingston while raising awareness for the Alpha Boys School, a longstanding incubator of world-class musicianship with many legends among its alumni. A submission from Vinicio Sejas of Bolivia was selected as the winning entry of this year’s contest from among 1,060 posters from 582 designers representing 68 nations.
“The collaboration with the International Reggae Poster Contest fits perfectly with our vision of creating the Irie Airport Experience.” As the leading entry point for visitors to Jamaica, it’s only natural that we should showcase the work of talented artists from across the world as they pay tribute to this island’s singular music and culture, finally recognized just last week by UNESCO for its invaluable contribution to the world’s musical heritage,” explained MBJ Airports CEO Raphael Echevarne. “We also found this event to be the perfect medium to involve the staff of the wider airport community and the “Trashion Show” was a great way to showcase the talent and creativity of the airport employees. We do hope to have more events to incorporate staff as part of our continued drive to deepen our engagement with the wider Sangster International Airport family,” Echevarne added.
Patrons in attendance were treated to a number of giveaways including Samsung tablets and items from Bijoux Jewelers and World Duty Free after following and liking @mbjairport on social media and correctly answering questions posed by the MC.
The event was sponsored by SIA concessionaires Express Catering, Club Mobay, Bhavela Jamaica trading as Tuff Gong, Distant Enterprises, operator of Reggae Mart and Casa de Xaymaca, VP Records, Red Stripe, Cellaris, Clear Channel Airports, Y & S Enterprise, operator of Jamaica Heritage & Souvenir Express, Knutsford Express, Caribbean Hub and Global Exchange Services.
About MBJ Airports:
MBJ Airports Limited, operator of Sangster International Airport, connects Jamaica to more than 60 international destinations. A record 4.2m passenger used the airport in 2017. MBJ operates SIA under a 30-year concession awarded in 2003 and provides employment to more than 160 Jamaicans. SIA has been named the Caribbean’s Leading Airport by World Travel Awards for the past 10 years in a row.
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