In 2004, Tony and June Wong, ardent art enthusiasts, decided to invest personally in an idea that was birthed in their spirits. The couple wanted to take art "to the streets" so that the public could meet and greet artists and be able to create a dialogue.

Tony, an accomplished photographer himself, a past president of the Photography Club of Jamaica and winner of several awards, both locally and internationally, convinced his wife to add photography to the festival.

Now in its fifth year, The Liguanea Festival of Fine Art & Photography has blossomed to become Jamaica's premier art festival and the largest outdoor exhibition of the arts in this island. The Wongs, as proprietors of Ligunea Drug & Garden Centre, host the festival in association with The Gleaner Company, Anbell Media Ltd, Cari-Med Ltd, Mayberry Investments Ltd, National Commercial Bank, Scotiabank Ja Ltd, First Global Bank, RBTT Bank, H. D. Hopwood & Co Ltd, Zip 103FM and Irie FM. The festival continues to attract many sponsors.

This year, the event has been over-subscribed by the many exhibitors, including overseas-based artists seeking to exhibit their work and sell their pieces. The committee has been challenged to carefully select participants and to give the opportunity to new talented individuals and expose some of the younger art generation. So far, 2008 promises to be a big winner as approximately 90 painters, artists, sculptors, ceramists, jewellery designers and photographers are busy printing, framing, casting and carving to put on the best art and photography exhibition of the year.

Again, the Liguanea Plaza near Matilda's Corner will be transformed into a sea of beautifully decorated tents, walkways, workshop areas for children, dining and refreshment areas representing the perfect family affair for a creative day-out. The festival will be held on Sunday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free.

Best work on display

Notwithstanding, the serious art collectors, enthusiasts and buyers will have a chance to meet their favourite artists and photographers in person and everyone has promised to show their best work on display so that buyers can add to their collections.

Some of the artists displaying their wide range of creativity will include A.J. Brown (of cabaret fame), Christopher Gonzales, E. Dain McLeod, Everard Powell, Fitz Mitchell, Franz Marzouca, Gene Pearson, Heather Sutherland-Wade, Rachel Wade, Howard Moo Young, Katrina Abrahams, Kacey Ferguson, Kay Sullivan, Nakazzi Hutchison, Richard Hall, Richard Picart, Rohan Woodhouse, Ronnie Chin, Solomon Sinclair, and Phillip Supersad.

A workshop for children will be conducted by Dawn Scott, one of Jamaica's finest and most talented individuals ably assisted by younger artists in association with Pebeo art materials and supplies from France.