Decor VIII - 50 years of Female Art

In November 2011, the McDonald family opened Kingston's newest retail art gallery, Decor VIII, at 8 Hillcrest Avenue.

In just under a year, Decor VIII is now considered to be more than merely an art gallery, it is considered a creative art space for people of all ages and walks of life.

The unpretentious and refreshing 'vibe' always present is exactly what Kingston has yearned for and what gallery director, Hyacinth McDonald, believes in. "I'm happy with what we've been able to do with the space so far, and am even more excited to share the beauty and the range of feelings that art encompasses with everyone who walks through the gate. Here, everyone catches a vibe, everyone feels good because everyone loves art."

Tribute

On Sunday, July 29, Decor VII will open an exhibition to commemorate Jamaica's 50th year of Independence. Endorsed as a Jamaica 50 official event, '50 years of Female Art' is a tribute to Dr Olive Lewin, as 8 Hillcrest Avenue is the former home of this Jamaican icon. The exhibition is a discovery of Jamaican female art over the last 50 years, and will feature the works of artists such as Roberta Stoddart, Maria Layacona, Nakazzi, Susan Alexander, Susan Shirley, Samere Tansley, and many more talented visual artists who have contributed to and worked towards revolutionising Jamaican art since 1962.

The exhibition will run for three weeks and the opening will include cultural presentations to honour Dr Olive Lewin, such as Supersaad drummers, the Jamaica Folk Singers in concert, and lots more.

The event is yet another attempt by Decor VIII to promote and facilitate Jamaican art and culture in a relaxed art space.