Staff WriterOn June 15, OAaSIS International creative workshop series was held in St Ann to honour Christopher Gonzalez, Jamaican artist, but those in attendance received much more.
They were also treated to a full inhouse exhibition of the works of Christopher Gonzalez.
Artistes Boom Steppa, Rollie Fresh and Jermaine Gordon offering three distinct styles of performances, gave the guests a dynamic package in making new connection with the Diaspora. All three were humbled to see other great artworks by Chris Gonzalez, who for them is popularly known for the controversial Bob Marley statue, now erected in St Ann .
Alternating with presentations by visual artists including Bernard Hoyes, Reiko Nagase, Dwayne Hamilton, the three artistes kept the guest which was 70 per cent Jamaicans from within the Diaspora from UK , Canada and USA cheerful and applauding.
It was not just about the delivery but the Diaspora members said afterwards that they were very impressed with the cleverness of the lyrics which they thought was a great refreshing for young minds and older persons together.
Well designed for the moments, Boom Steppa delivered his popular favourite “Mih Nah Stay Poor”, Jermaine Gordon came with “I’ll trust in You (to guide me and for success), and Rollie Fresh sang of “Yutes of Tomorrow”(Youth of Tomorrow). There was no delay in convincing all present of the call to unite to assist the youth in understanding their creative power, as was well demonstrated by the current presenters who understood theirs.
There was much gratitude from the visitors who were principals, art teachers, selected businesspersons and Diaspora members, impressed by the variety in artists and their different works. They were thankful even after the event for being invited to secure connection on behalf of the other Jamaicans.
Diaspora head Patrick Beckford from US said he was proud for the OAaSIS Foundation in its thrust to sensitise others to the arts, culture, and creative power of Jamaicans internationally. Art teacher from St Hilda, Aldain Wynt, acknowledged the advantages of partnering the art club of his school with OAaSIS in the shared quest of alerting more persons to the endless opportunities and aspects of the combined fields of the arts
Bernard Hoye, Jamaican master painter from California , made special presentation about his works after he highlighted numbered achievements by Christopher Gonzalez.
Nailah Gonzalez, daughter of Christopher Gonzalez expressed appreciation on behalf of the family in her delivering two of her original piano pieces.
Among the guests were Jag Mehta, a hotelier and ceramicist himself and Andy Jefferson, another well respected artist.
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