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Studio 174, CARIMAC blazing the trail to 'ArtUpDownTown'

Published:Sunday | February 16, 2014 | 12:00 AM
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CARIMAC participants in the 'ArtUpDownTown' pilot project, Attalia Harriman (left), Sherine Williams (second from left) and Ventell Virgo (right) beaming with pride and delight, alongside assistant project documenter, Alyia Titus (second right), during a presentation of their video productions at the launch of the 'ArtUpDownTown' exhibition last Friday at Studio 174 in downtown Kingston.
One of the youngest attendees at the launch of the 'ArtUpDownTown' exhibition last Friday at Studio 174 in downtown Kingston is seen here totally absorbed in a mural created by students of the studio, like a true connoisseur. The painting is a collage of several photographs on display.-PHOTOS by Damien 'Lookyah' Baddy
Directors of Studio 174 and project advisers from CARIMAC celebrating the opening of the 'ArtUpDownTown' exhibition with some of the community members who were featured in the works. From left: Ronald Henry, a handcart driver from Coronation Market;...
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KINGSTON, Jamaica:The journey to 'ArtUpDownTown' began eight years ago when Rozi Chung took a leap of faith and converted an old warehouse on the corner of Harbour Street and West Street into Studio 174, an educational and cultural space facilitating community development through the arts, particularly the visual arts.

Several community artists have been taking advantage of the opportunity, and now they are joined by students of the Caribbean Institute for Media and Communication (CARIMAC).

The launch of the 'ArtUpDownTown' exhibition last weekend was a testament to the fact that, irrespective of their socio-economic circumstances, Jamaica's young people will excel if they are seriously supported in their interests. It was attended by people from all walks of life, who accepted the invitation "to (re)connect deeply with downtown Kingston, through photography, audio, mural and video productions".

As the sun went down, West Street lit up magnificently. Slides of hundreds of photographs capturing scenes from around downtown Kingston were projected on to a large wall across from the studio's entrance. A mural, inspired by the photos, hung from the ceiling at the opposite end of the room, facing guests as they entered the studio. Selected photos were displayed on the walls of the two-storey building, interspersed with three-dimensional visual installations. Video and audio presentations on Coronation Market, Liberty Hall, and the waterfront played continuously throughout the event.

The directors of Studio 174 congratulated all of the participants with a celebratory cake. Professor Hopeton Dunn, head of CARIMAC, expressed his deep commitment to the partnership and announced that CARIMAC would be providing two scholarships for student members of Studio 174 to complete a course in animation at the institute.

The exhibition, which will continue on Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and weekdays by appointment, until March 31, is the culmination of a pilot summer project developed by the studio, in partnership with CARIMAC, to empower more Jamaicans to tell their own stories.