MIRAMAR -A commemorative event to mark the occasion in the South Florida Jamaican community is an Art Exhibition by Jamaican born artist Richard Hugh Blackford entitled “Augus’ Mawnin” (August Morning) will open on Friday, August 1st, at the Miramar City Hall, 2300 Civic Center Place, Miramar 33025.
The one week exhibition will run until Thursday, August 7, under the distinguished patronage of Jamaica’s Consul General, Mr. Franz Hall who will officially launch the displays at a cocktail reception beginning at 5:30 p.m.
This year, Jamaica celebrates its 52nd year as an independent country and will observe the 180th anniversary of Emancipation from slavery. The significance of the exhibition “Augus’ Mawnin” covers the portfolio of work to be displayed which will highlight aspects of a surging Jamaica; its people taking charge of their own destinies as a free and independent people and making positive strides in the global sphere, according to Mr. Blackford. This is captured in the title piece “Augus’ Mawnin” which features a cluster of the island’s majority black population as they march steadfastly into the sunrise embracing the dawning of a new day on this Independent Nation.
Another piece “The Birth of Legends” mirrors the rise of the “Ska” music beat on the island in the late 1950s and celebrates the legendary band “The Skatellites” whose instrumental music formed the foundation of the island’s world renowned Reggae music. Of course, the islands’ strong athletic culture is captured emphatically in the piece “Black Green and Golden” a celebration of more than 50 years of success on the global athletic scene.
Since 2005, Richard Hugh Blackford has conducted solo exhibitions locally and internationally in the Caribbean, North America and Europe – Florida, New York and Pennsylvania, in the USA; London, England; Kingston, Jamaica; St. Johns, Antigua; and in Bridgetown, Barbados.
“Augus’ Mawnin” is sponsored by Grace Foods USA and the International Cardiovascular Institute.
