Richard Bryan, Gleaner Writer

MANDEVILLE'S ELITE, as well a good representation of its professional base, turned out or the 17th renewal of the Roman Catholic art fair at the Mount St Joseph's campus grounds last Thursday night.

The annual event has earned a reputation for featuring the best and some of the finest works created by local artists, and at the same time raised needed funds for certain charities.

More than 300 original paintings were featured with Christopher Gonzales' Erotica in watercolour securing top pricing of $660,000. Gonzales, who visited the show last year, passed away earlier this year.

Owen Beckford's Faberge - acrylic on canvass - fared second at $562,500.

Fitzroy Symister's oil on canvas, titled Mr Michael, attracted much interest and admiration. It was an expert depiction of an aged rural man sitting on the back steps of his rustic home having a meal.

Viv Logan's Good Time Gal, highlighting a typically dressed Jamaican reveller, was well received at $206,000.

Major sponsors covered a broad spectrum of corporate Jamaica. Among them were notables Windalco, Scotia DBG Investments, Super Plus, Top Loaf Bakery, Villa Pharmacy, Pickapepper, Bioden Chemicals, Isratech Jamaica Ltd, and Pneumatron.