The Olympia Gallery launched its 9th Annual Group Exhibition on November 26. In its traditional ritzy style, the gallery plans to offer collectors the opportunity to purchase a selection of rare Albert Huie woodcut prints. Rosemary Thwaites, the gallery's owner, says that part-proceeds from the sale of prints will be used to establish a fund to encourage and develop the art of printmaking in Jamaica.

This year's exhibition also boasts a number of distinguished artists. Included in the prominent listing are George Rodney, Amy Laskin, Lois Sherwood, Andy Jefferson, Margaret McGhie, Judith Salmon, Dirk Koolmees, Omari Ra, Nyla D'Andrea, Patrick Waldemar, P. J. Stewart, Estela Dieppa, Kacey Ferguson, Gene Pearson, Norma Harrack, Elizabeth Wood, Richard Hall, Beverly Oliver, Laura-Anne Fung, Gavin Gunter and Camille Patterson.

Albert Huie has been called 'The Father of Jamaican Painting' being the first Jamaican artist to have enjoyed a professional career internationally. He came to the attention of the Institute of Jamaica in the late 1930s, when he also received his early training from the Armenian artist Koren der Harootian (1909-91). He studied at the Ontario College of Art, University of Toronto and Camberwell School of Art, London England, where he pursued painting and graphic techniques.

Achievements

Among his achievements are, being named First Prize Winner, New York World's Fair, 1939; Prize Winner, Spanish Biannual, Havana, 1953; Institute of Jamaica Silver Musgrave Medal, 1958; Institute of Jamaica Gold Musgrave Medal, 1976; Order of Distinction, 1983 and the Commander of the Order of Distinction, 1992. More effectively than, perhaps, any other Jamaican artist, he captured the shimmering, atmospheric quality of the Jamaican landscape and the rhythm of life in the rural areas. His original linocut and woodcut prints are a collector's pride.

George Rodney once commented that he wanted to 'become a genuine painter' and in his career of 40 plus years he has unequivocally demonstrated this to Jamaicans and art lovers globally. His distinctive cubism/impressionist style always stirs the imagination and tantalizes the senses with his unique use of light and shadow. His defined cut-and-paste signature style communicates his graphic arts training. Rodney is credited as being one of the artists responsible for the modern era of Jamaican art.

Vital links between Jamaica and Lithuania have been established because of the art of Lois Sherwood and her successful art exhibition in that country. A Jamaican-born entrepreneur, artist and social worker she was formally trained in fine arts in Haiti. Her pastel and oil pieces are also familiar to local collectors.

Patrick Waldemar is undoubtedly one of the Caribbean's leading water-colorists. His work has been widely exhibited in New York and is represented in private collections in the USA, the United Kingdom, Canada and Jamaica. He was recognized by American Artist Magazine, and was published in 'Watercolour 92', their exclusive watercolour bi-annual issue. He also featured in the International Artist Magazine, June/July issue, 2004.

Judith Salmon, a native of Jamaica, studied at the Chicago Academy of Fine Art and received her Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts from Norwich University in Vermont. She has exhibited internationally and her work is held in numerous public and private collections including the National Museum for Women in the Arts, Washington, DC.

Omari Ra has been painting full-time since his graduation from the Jamaica School of Art in 1983. His work, which is highly individualistic and vivid in imagery and colour sense, has attracted much comment both locally and abroad. His first solo exhibition took place in Berne, Switzerland, in 1985.

Camille Patterson is a painter who has been regularly featured at Market at The Lawn. Beverly Oliver, the daughter of renowned Jamaican painter Milton George, recently gained acclaim as a painter and has shown her work at the National Gallery and Harmony Hall.

Track record

Contemporary Cuban artist Estela Dieppa has been exhibiting since 1999. Her works are part of important collections in Spain, the United States, Croatia, England, Belgium, Sweden, France, Germany, Italy, Argentina, Mexico, Jamaica and Cuba.

Norma Harrack and Gene Pearson are established Jamaican potters with illustrious track records. Pearson's unglazed earthenware heads and vessels with faces in carved relief, reminiscent of Nubian art, are well-known collector's items. Pearson works at his studio in Jamaica but also has a Potter's Studio in Berkely, California. More recently he has also worked in bronze.

Norma Harrack developed her craft in the late 1970s under the tutelage of the late Jamaican master potter, Cecil Baugh. With over 40 years of experience and dedication, Harrack has gained,, and continues to gain, accolades.