Arts round up

ARTS ROUND UP


Grosvenor Galleries renews its seasonal outreach activities
for children with a Summer Art & Craft for Kids programme.
 
The 2005 programme commences on July 4th, and runs through
July 15. It resumes July 18 and continues through July 29.
In August, the art camp runs from August 9th through 19th and
from August 22nd through to the close on September 2.
“What we aim for” says proprietor Douglas Reid “is to give kids
the opportunity to explore their creative sides and experiment with
a wide variety of materials. They'll come home with finished works
of art ready to display, wear and use.” 
 
The activities will include painting, creating and decorating
ceramic bear banks, canvas pillows, hanging beaded stars, glass
vases, memory boxes, neon pencil cases, glazed wall tiles, rainbow
foam fish, wooden windchimes, driftwood and shell hangers, tie-dyed
t-shirts, clay, beadwork, waterplay and more.
 
Sessions run from 9 a.m. - 12.30p.m. Mondays through Fridays and are
primarily aimed at children ages 4 through 12 years.
 

Remembering Carl
“He’s kind of like a mountain, there are so many perspectives
from which his work can be viewed,” offered National Gallery
executive director Johnathan Greenland.

The mountain he refers to is the late Carl Abrahams, who is the
subject of a special tribute at the NG beginning May 29. A wide
variety of works from Abrahams’ vast oeuvre will be presented,
including illustrations, portraits, sketches and recreations of
Bible scenes.

“His work is very approachable yet very expressive and honest,”
Greenland continues, “and I think this will be an ideal show for
children and for families.”

Also on display will be Abrahams’ frames, which he made himself
and many of which are works of art in themselves.

Broadcaster Anthony Abrahams (the artist’s nephew) and his daughter,
columnist Tara Abrahams-Clivio will be among those offering their
personal recollections of the artist.

Painter and National Gallery Chairman Emeritus Dr. David Boxer will
also offer their perspectives on Abrahams’ work and life.

Gallery Pegasus
At the Pegasus, Portland-born Jeffrey Grant’s solo show, Expressions and
Symbols, continues. the show combines paintings and sculptures in both wood
and metal, featuring Grant’s mordant wit and social commentary.

Art View: J’cans need to look more closley at African-American market

As Jamaican art continues to expand beyond its established markets,
one Jamaican painter is urging consideration of African-Americans and
Jamaicans abroad.

“Increasing education levels, as well as increasing overall incomes
among African-Americans is driving greater interest in art,” says
Joshua Higgins.

“We should also be mindful of the large Jamaican and Caribbean community
in North America as well as the UK.”

Higgins said Jamaican artists should make adequate preparations to exploit
this market, including placing their portfolios online and having reproductions
available in addition to original pieces.

Artists, he offered, should also look to representing themes in works, in
order to reach overseas collectors with a variety of special interests.

Afro-American collectors increasingly want more detailed information on
artists, particularly those from overseas. “They’re looking to get a sense
of how long this indivdual has been an artist, the kind of wrok they’ve done
and who has acquired the work,” Higgins pointed out.

he furhter feels that “Now is the time to introduce the Caribbean experience
to Afro-American collectors. The market is open enough and sophisticated enough
for an appreciation of our multi-cultural story.”

Higgins pauses to recognize the energy and encouragement of all the galleries
that have provided a forum and visibility for Jamaican artists over the years,
and he furhter welcomes the most recent addition,Gallerie 128 and the entrepreneurial
spirit of Simon Fredericks.

The painter views Jamaican art as a strong an enduring category that
has expanded beyond a specific market of home and office decor. As more
works of quality and diverse styles come to the market, he adds more of
the artists will be seeking to capture public attention.