The Ward Theatre, designed by architect Rudolph Henriques, exemplifies more than the fine art of building. At the Ward, the cultural heritage of Jamaicans is promoted through drama, and at one point, the walls bore murals and paintings of the island's rich history, e.g. of the Columbus era. - Photo by Anthea McGibbon

Holiday Craft Fair

Ace Woodwork & The Collection's Holiday Craft Fair continues today, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 14 Leonard Road, Kingston 10 (top of Hagley Park Road). On show is a collection of works by Jamaican crafters, artists, ceramists, orchid growers and designers.

Mediathon

Eleven media houses will join forces on Sunday, December 9, to stage a mediathon in aid of restoring the Ward Theatre in downtown Kingston, and in recognition of its 95th anniversary. The event is being coordinated by the Creative Production and Training Centre (CPTC), in collaboration with the Ward Theatre Foundation (WTF) under the theme - The Ward - Restoring the Glory. Participating media houses, including CVM TV, the Gleaner Company, the Observer, Love FM and TV, CTV, Hype TV, Power 106, Hot 102, Nationwide News Network and RJR 94FM, have confirmed their participation and support for the event. Cable and Wireless will provide the technological support by way of telephone lines.

Ward Theatre was donated to the City of Kingston on December 16, 1912, by Colonel Charles James Ward, then Custos of Kingston, who presented it to the mayor and council of the city. Colonel Ward was the 'nephew' in J. Wray and Nephew, which provided the enabling funds. The theatre was closed for refurbishing under a project by the Urban Development Corporation in 1982. The Ward theatre Foundation was established in 1986 following this renovation to manage and operate the theatre. It has done this through theatre rental and fund-raising activities.

Exhibition

Marlon Griffith's solo exhibition - 'Symbiosis' is currently on at the Edna Manley College Art Gallery and continues until Friday, December 14. A Trinidadian artist, Griffith who is in residence at Edna Manley College, is showcasing for the first time in Jamaica. 'Symbiosis', which embodies the phrase "life imitating art", includes installations which probe "the conditions of visibility/invisibility, materiality/non-materiality, presence/absence; questioning possibilities of our (visual) attention and sensibility, and awareness of the process of perception". Griffith has been an artist in residence at the Bag Factory and City & Suburban Studios in Johannesburg and the Mino Paper Art Village in Japan, and has also performed in group exhibitions in Trinidad. Now, he showcases his installations with a hint of mode de carnaval and a modern approach to art.

Christmas Fair

Grosvenor Galleries presents its annual Christmas Fair on Saturday, December 8 & Sunday, December 9 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. There will be more than 60 booths showcasing jewellery, pottery, precious stones, woodcraft, paintings, prints, ceramics, Indian clothing, stained glass, linens, leather bags, carvings, curios, driftwood angels, aromatherapy products, books, coffee gift baskets, furniture and antiques. The Gallery is located at 1 Grosvenor Terrace, Kingston 8, Jamaica.