OAaSIS International Foundation (Jamaica)

One of Barrington Watson’s most impacting show! So impacting that two of Jamaica’s Prime Ministers, a governor-general and leading businesspersons were among those who attended to see the unveiling of his portrait of US Ambassador Her Excellency Brenda LaGrange Johnson, bearing an uncanny resemblence.

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Barrington Watson

On November 9th, 2009, just a day before the birthday of founder Anthea McGibbon’s birthday, Master painter Professor the Honourable Barrington Watson, OJ informally agreed to be a patron of the OAaSIS International Foundation. In his words he was merely passing on a ‘baton’ for her through OAaSIS to complete another chapter in the development of Jamaica’s art history, before she passes it on herself.
Barrington Watson is no stranger to founding similar organisations himself.
Among his many accomplishments, he is responsible for art being added to the curriculum within schools.
Along with Edna Manley, Barrington Watson is one of the most outstanding critical contributors to Jamaica’s art history.
He also while teaching at the University of the West Indies, founded an art appreciation course there in the 1960s.
Today, totally blind in one eye, and almost blind in the next, he adds consultation to the things he must do.
Back in 2007, Barrington Watson was the real motivation which led to Anthea McGibbon becoming a prolific art critic, which she extends to all creative expressions carving a niche of loyal readers for herself.
Among the factors that impress her is the fact that all Barrington Watson’s children are accomplished artists themselves, in addition to the master artist’s own brother, a successful writer. This is one main influence, as the family together is a model on the results of serious committment and understanding of the arts.

Barrington Watson Exhibitions 1994 to present

In tribute to the ardent support of persons such as Barrington Watson, Wayne Chen, Alexander Cooper, Rex Nettleford, Bryan McFarlane, Delano McFarlane, she further created the OAaSIS International Foundation to assist especially the youth in realising their potential as creative persons.
Other persons who will be approached include Alexander Cooper, master painter.

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The numbers were never announced by the host station before, during or after the OAaSIS appearance. However the interview by the CVM at Sunrise host with Principal Kandi Lee Crooks-Smith speaking for her receipient school Allman Town and foundation representative Leighton Levy was successful.
The questions came without warning by an anxious host and equal to the task of sharing information on the foundation and its impact were the two member team being interviewed.

In under 10 minutes viewers were told of the need for the foundation and its impact in at least one location, and the response of children so far, plus more.
In an uncanny way Levy made viewers aware that sponsorship to date was mostly being done in skills, and therefore funds are needed for some projects undertaken such as for materials and also for the library to be set up at Sargeantville.

OAaSIS director Leighton Levy, CVM TV host Regina Beaver, Allman Town Principal Kandi-Lee Crooks-Smith and CVM TV personality Rohan Daley who received honour in January for his creative expression in journalism, hailing from Allman Town. ANTHEA McGIBBON PHOTO

Berger Paint is one main sponsor so far giving paint when needed.
A moment of fun brought laughter from viewers when Rohan Daley made a guest appearance to show a trophy he claimed he received from the organisation when recently honoured for his creative expression as a journalist hailing from Allman Town. In reality he received a certificate of recognition.
Although the upcoming visits nor projects were never mentioned, there have been invitations, since, and at least one group joining the OAaSIS network as a result.

Last month from as early as the exact moments of the interview on Smile Jamaica on morning time, founder Anthea McGibbon, while seated in the waiting area received calls from schools lining up for visits.
There is a set schedule, however it remains flexible to change with more volunteers stepping aboard.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO: Allman Town Principal Kandi-Lee Crooks-Smith,left, and OAaSIS founder Anthea McGibbon at the entrance to the CVM television station.

In the meantime sponsors are now being enlisted and approached, and fundraising events being planned.
Plans are afoot to launch a creativity series for adults at a reasonable cost, that will see collaboration with already confirmed great masters such as Barrington Watson, Babatunde, Howard Moo Young among others.
The Solid Agency team, Farenheit and Peter Lloyd, is also in gear for the cause of charity and assisting to make things better. So they will be first choice in consideration for the artiste line up.
More in another article.

READ ON Creative workshop series for Jamaica.

Join a dynamic network of creative souls for empowering others on and through the Arts, Culture, Creativity here on this site, Let’s be extraordinaire and super impacting together instead of being just plain ordinary apart.

Click to watch You Tube broadcast of OAaSIS

DAY ONE: Thanks to Farenheit, Patrick James , Winston “Bello” Bell, Cordel Green, Barrington Watson, Kamal Hinds, Wizad the Magician, The Allman Town Drummers, Principal Kandi-Lee Crooks-Smith, Students, Teachers for a successful DAY ONE, January 13, 2010

DAY TWO: Thanks to Donald Oliver, Malesia Fraser,

SPONSORS (Workshop at Allman Town):

(Whistling Frog (Sebastian Odgen)), P Gavin James graphics, Howard Moo Young (master at graphic design and photography, Print Xpress, Hot off the Press, Berger Paint, Burger King, Videographer Robin Chin, owner of Enhanced Realizm Studios and his team, Xclusiv Entertainment, Paralegal Dwane Forbes)

READ MORE:

Jamaica’s OAaSIS International Foundation launches creative workshop series
DAY 1: Jamaican artistes, artists ignite young minds
DAY 2: New creative depth for students through creative series
DAY 3: Colonel Derby, Peter Lloyd, artists time out for children
DAY 4: Creative connections at Allman Town Primary
DAY 5: Workshop stirs creative power at Allman Town Primary
DAY SIX(6): Creative workshop series end with Solid performances
DAY 6: Starry end to inaugural OAaSIS Fdn’s creative workshop series
DAY 6: Allman Town Primary thanks over 30 artists, artistes for creative workshop series
Allman Town teacher reports on OAaSIS creative series

MORE IN PRINTED MEDIA
JAMAICA STAR: Sophia Brown heads to Allman Town Primary
SEE ALSO The Gleaner’s Children’s Own issue of January 31 – February 5
Allman Town paints for the Bank of Jamaica
Creative workshop series end with Solid performances

JOHN POWELL PHOTO: Jamaica’s Prime Minister Honourable Bruce Golding congratulating master painter Barrington Watson for the well done portrait.

Among the works of Master Painter Barrington Watson, patron of the Foundation is the portrait of US Ambassador Her Excellency Brenda LaGrange Johnson, done ealy 2009. A very appreciative audience gasped as one, at its revealing at the Gallery Barrington, Hope Road in February.

No doubt the master painter demonstrated that he’s still got the talent and from the proof of this pudding it would appear that painting his favourite subjects … women… keeps him young.

For the event Jamaica’s former Prime Minister Honourable Percival James Patterson and Spanish Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Jesus daSilva were among the appreciative and honoured guests.

See more at Negril.com Arts and Culture