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Published August 26, 2012 The Sunday Gleaner S itting in  a dimly lit cubicle, Nadia Roxburgh's fingers moved in clockwork rhythm on the console, her gaze fixed to the stage, where she disperses the light at the flick of a button. "The stage is the canvas and lighting console the palette," Roxburgh said with a smile. "Lighting up the stage is painting colours, only that we have light to fill the space." The lighting technician at the Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts at the University of the West Indies says that she needs a creative eye to create the right tone and mood on the set. "Otherwise, it will be bland." The confluence of lighted space on the stage reflects the mood of the show being performed and the lighting engineer has to, like an inspired painter swishing brushstrokes on canvas, create the right hue. Roxburgh's current project,  Mr and Mrs Blacke  - a story of a wealthy couple whose marriage is o...

Drumbeats, guitar strings and strong vocals encapsulate history of Jamaica Published August 19, 2012 Sunday Gleaner This is a narrative of Jamaica told on a musical crescendo, no bungarung just the words of Jah. Equal Rights: Reggae and Social Change, is seeking to transform the bare walls of the Jamaica Music Museum stringing notes of this truly Jamaican genre. “Since reggae is Jamaican, we have used it to convey the message,” informed Herbie Miller, director/curator of the Jamaica Music Museum. “It is a journey highlighting socio-political and spiritual sensibility.” The edifice of the museum, housed in downtown Kingston, has been sprinkled with framed album covers and posters, which chronicles a phase of the island’s history. The exhibition, Miller informed, has been inspired by the late Peter Tosh’s 1997 album titled, Equal Rights and traces the phenomenal power that music has had over the Jamaican people, since the 16 th century. “...

Published August 5, 2012 The Sunday Gleaner "Rock It Come Over", title of Dr Olive Lewin's book seems to encapsulate the recognition of female artists of Jamaica - a showcase of artwork of 50 exceptionally creative minds - 50 years of female art. A Jamaica50 endorsed event the exhibition is a tribute to the renowned author, social anthropologist, musicologist Dr Lewin at her former residence 8 Hillcrest Avenue, now home to Décor VIII art gallery. "The spirit of culture resides in the premises," exclaimed gallery director, Hyacinth McDonald, "and there could be no better tribute to the greatness of Dr Lewin than to recognise the creative acumen of women in arts." At the entrance is an untitled sketch Charcoal on paper done by Edna Manley in 1983, which welcomes the visitor to the rich artistic journey that unfolds in the gallery. The exhibits, some with intricate details and others in abstracts, transform the gallery into an amalgamat...

Published August 2, 2012 Positive Parenting “ Life as parent at 50 has been an adventure,” reminisced Jacquelyne Hussey-Pearson, mother of three who turned 50 in June this year. Hussey-Pearson , who came to Jamaica from the United Kingdom, fell in love with the country and continues to draw inspiration for her artistic pursuits.  “When I had my first son I was so much in shock, because everybody has advise for you, everyone tells you how to bring up your baby, what you should do what you shouldn’t do…. “I am now standing on the anniversary of Jamaica’s 50 reflecting my life and my transitions of my journey. Looking at my children, I am proud, so very proud,” she said.    “Now I stand back at 50 and look at my children who are more than capable of dealing with challenges in their lives, it's been a long journey with rough edges but I don’t have any complaints,” she said.  Bringing up the children had its share of trials and tribul...