LAST TUESDAY night, 400 of the National Gallery of Jamaica's loyal supporters met at the Pegasus Hotel to wish the institution a very happy 30th birthday.
Highlights of the fund-raising banquet included an awards ceremony for past chairmen Maurice Facey, John Maxwell and Aaron Matalon, and an auction of works donated by Colin Garland, Norma Harrack, Maria LaYacona, David Pinto, George Rodney, Osmond Watson and The Edna Manley Foundation.
The master of ceremonies was Ambassador Peter King and William Tavares-Finson acted as the auctioneer. Musical entertainment was provided by Cecil Cooper and Friends.
The event was organised by the fund-raising committee of the National Gallery, led by Taynia Nethersole, Lois Sherwood and Sybil Ntoutoume.
EXCITING NEW PERIOD
Maria A. Jones, chairman of the board, celebrated the great history of Jamaica's National Gallery and its famous collection. In thanking the gallery's friends, she made particular mention of the outstanding contribution of Dr. David Boxer. Mrs. Jones pointed forward to an exciting new period for the National Gallery with a range of outreach programmes designed to serve the needs of the Jamaican people.
"There is an obvious need to studiously and resolutely extend the Gallery's network of friends, members, sponsors, benefactors, individuals and corporate entities. Friends have selflessly contributed in shaping the development of the institution. We will need to depend on them even moreso now to play and important role the gallery's future."
She also welcomed the appointment of Executive Director Dr. Jonathan Greenland and Director of Administration Denise Salmon.
Guests included a wide spectrum of Jamaica's artists, Professor Rex Nettleford, Professors Barry Chevannes and Errol Morrison, The Most Hon. Glynne Manley, William Mahfood, Stephen and Laura Facey.
The funds raised from the banquet will be used to make physical improvements at the gallery's Ocean Boulevard location, in Kingston, including a new coffee shop. Funds will also be used to finance outreach programmes to bring new audiences to the gallery and its collections.
A new exhibit, 'The Jamaican Biennial 2004' opens at the gallery on December 12.
