AHHHH! is what you’re sure to say, after winding your way uphill to the gallery bearing that name. It’s a trove of glowing artful treasure on the hilly border of Kempshot and Gutters, St James.
The Aaah! gallery is owned by two art extraordinaires artist Ian ‘Ras Natango’ Williams and his wife, Tamika, doubling as an artisan, and, an educator in the English Language and Literature. In unison, they are compassionate about revealing the hidden power when Art and English becomes a combined tool.
So passionate they are, that beyond twenty years, the couple toil relentlessly to convert what used to be rocky mountainous terrain, into an ideal gallery of valuable art deposits. To date, there is a three-storey house embodying brilliant gems of art, as the team effuse hope and happiness to all who come by.
On entering the premises, a continued work in progress, it’s as though cosmic energy is being released bringing visitors into a therapeutic experience. Just as the static clouds that sail into any open window during the cold, or even the thick fog that sometimes bury the artful gems in a sea of white mist deposits its energy throughout the gallery’s rooms. For sure, there are valued nuggets of lessons in more than the arts.

Ras Natango's acrylic. ANTHEA McGIBBON PHOTO

Since marrying Ras Natango, in 1977, her teaching skills have improved tremendously, as she discovers and develops her own artisan skills. Her former students and their parents attest to the positive effect of her unique teaching skills on even the most ‘backward’ child, as she employs art skills in her general teaching methods.

Her nurturing character tamed the once radical leader during the troubled 1970s, Ras Natango into refocusing his energy to illustrating his philosophy and messages he once wrote on placards.

Messages such as “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery”, and “Just BE-ing (.. a human being).”

Mounted strategically, the displayed works from pencil sketches to oils, placemats, postcards to egg and shell-craft and a clothing line is mostly by the autodidactic Ras Natango. His acrylics evidence his intense research and self-study of masters such as Michaelangelo, Pablo Picasso, Rembrandt VanGogh, and Claude Monet. The themes he chooses are varied from flora, portraiture to scenes, and indeed demonstrate a firm hand in applying his techniques, especially in his representing textures such as sand, water. Bold and vibrant are his colours, which exude exciting energy especially in his flowers and beach scenes.

Ras Natango and wife, Tamika. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO.

His ability to understand perspective in both art and mathematics is an unspoken strength. “Rough Waters” also called “Alone” is his autobiographical painting. It features a man with just a shirt on his back, rowing alone and against the tides of rough sea water.
Complimenting this variety are works by Tamika and their son Ayale.
“Mending broken pieces” is Tamika’s philosophy. She, as a craftsperson, starts with egg shells, where she depicts a variety of roosters, hens and chickens on hardboard. Then she goes into knitting and sewing and embroidery. Her reversible Jamaican cloth dolls are the most striking of her art explorations. Each doll almost mirrors itself when upside down. When the skirt is flipped in reverse, however, the doll revealed is the same image, but with a different pose, and sometimes different bandana pattern.
The couple equally invests their efforts on the outside. Almost surrounding the house, plotted 2000 feet above sea level, are three gardens, built at varying levels, and with a commanding view of surrounding cities and the ocean. The trees below are like dots of children. Here visitors can virtually learn without the need for the spoken word by reading and observing, especially as almost everything is labeled, in keeping with the gallery’s objective.

There are scattered antique items telling tells of Jamaica’s history strategically placed throughout the garden such as three-legged wrought iron pots, old time tilly lamps, and actual slave iron chains. In the garden is a working sundial.
Tamika often called “Mother Nature” prunes the gardens which also encloses an actual fairy tale valley. The vegetable garden is 100 per cent Jamaican; the flower garden is 90 per cent Jamaican and the herbal garden is less than 50 per cent. Ras Natango’s carvings of Jamaica’s wild animals from the cedar tree roots, are actually seats, and placed randomly throughout the garden.

ANTHEA McGIBBON PHOTO: Sunset by Ras Natango.

Ras Natango settled here to realize his skills after departing from the field of accounts, and left Tamika to ‘account’ for his international success. His vision “Art dictates life, NOT imitate it” is in full expression, and a good influence on Tamika.
Ras Natango also designs clothing from hemp on which he paints Jamaican scenes and items from the sea. Ras Natango has been written on in magazines such as Hemp Times and York Daily, Pennsylyvania.

Clothes made from hemp and hand painted by Ras Natango.ANTHEA McGIBBON photo.

Detailing the composition of art and education, the couple is in gear to opening a school on property. They were cofounders of the Little Tree Preparatory located on the Half Moon Premises. They started with eight students, but today the school called The Heinz Simonitch has over 100 students.

The couple has written story books for children which are now awaiting publication. At least two of these books teach about Jamaica’s wild life and animals, and the way they survive. Ras Natango’s book, “Froggy” teaches children between 4-6 years how to create their own stories by following the illustrations. This is in addition to learning to read the story already written to match the illustrations.

Ayale's seashell scraft of a seahorse. ANTHEA McGIBBON PHOTO.

Ayale, a protégé in his own right recently completed a degree in graphic design at The Art Institute in Florida. The couple remembers introducing him to art through cartoon books from a young age. On display in the home gallery Ayale’s sea animals, from sea shells are witty. Also on display are some of his graphic designs and illustrations, applied in discussing the nature and characteristics of Jamaica’s women, especially those found in the dancehall.

A family of talent, and exceptional skill, the idea of “tun yuh han mek fashion” is passed through generations.

See also The Jamaica Sunday Gleaner’s Art on for more on this hilltop paradise.

Article made possible with the courtesy of Ahhh! Gallery. Contact them at 1876 578 2582 for tours or at Ras Natango, Tamika. First published July 25, 2009.

]]> http://www.antheamcgibbon.com/gallery-on-hilltop-in-montego-bay-offers-variety-of-collectable-art.htm/feed 0 http://www.antheamcgibbon.com/richie-b%e2%80%99s-top-ten-cds-reggae-and-dancehall-march-5.htm http://www.antheamcgibbon.com/richie-b%e2%80%99s-top-ten-cds-reggae-and-dancehall-march-5.htm#comments Sat, 06 Mar 2010 12:05:11 +0000 Anthea http://www.antheamcgibbon.com/?p=3353

Dancehall and Reggae artiste G-Whizz is among the first set of artistes to be confirmed for this year’s Best of the Best concert slated to take place on May 30 in Bicentennial Park, Miami.

The concert which rakes in more than 40, 000 people annually, as the name suggests, will this year also feature some of the Dancehall and Rap industry’s best performers, including: Chino, Shaggy, Mavado, Serani, Gucci Mane, Bounty Killer, Baby Cham, Tony Matterhorn, Demarco, Gyptian and more.

G-Whizz says, “Last year was an incredible one. I received a some awards but more importantly, I got to really show fans what G-Whizz is made of and I’m happy that this goes for fans not only in Jamaica but also in the neighbouring islands and the USA. It’s a lot of hard work but I gotta keep pushing because it’s what I love to do and the performance at Best of the Best is going to be crazy.”

Earlier this week G-Whizz did a photoshoot for Cooyah to showcase their new line of shirts, while today and tomorrow he will be busy heating things up across the island on this, the final leg of the RJR Cross

“Few month gone inna di year and ovah 30-odd dead and counting. And by di time deh tune yah drop it cudda double, nuh go roun’ ting. People blood a splash inna  di streets jus’ like a fowl ting…”
- In Di Streets, Chino.

Dancehall artiste Chino recently released yet another single, making it circa his sixth one since the start of the year. The song, In Di Streets on the Stephen McGregor-produced “Bad People Riddim” is a conscious heavy-hitter about the island’s crime rate.

The fast-paced rhythm works in tandem with the imagery conjured by the lyrics: shots fired in a hurry and descriptions of people dying at a rapidly. Chino whose correct name is Daniel McGregor says, “It’s a reflection of what’s happening around us and in our island. It’s reality and it’s something that I had to sing about and express how I see it and feel. Music is my diary.”

In addition to the new release, Chino participated in the CVM television’s Telethon in aid of Haiti on Sunday and this weekend, he will be performing in Negril alongside Shaggy, Laden and Elephant Man.

Some claim that poverty is an inherited curse through our ancestors. Others blame poverty exisitng especially in Jamaica on the greed of the “foolish”
Jamaica’s Advitek Systems owner, Craig Phang Sang offers yet another explanation:

The difference between the poor countries and the rich ones is not the age of the country.
This can be seen in countries like India and Egypt, that are more than 2000 years old and are poor.
On the other hand, Canada, Australia & New Zealand, that 150 years ago were inexpressive, today are developed countries and are rich.

The difference between poor and rich countries does not reside in the available natural resources.
Japan has a limited territory, 80% mountainous, inadequate for agriculture & cattle raising, but it is the second largest world economy.
The country is like an immense floating factory, importing raw material from the whole world and exporting manufactured products.

Another example is Switzerland, which does not plant cocoa but has the best chocolate of the world.
In its little territory they raise animals and plant the soil during 4 months per year.
Not enough, they produce dairy products of the best quality.
It is a small country that transmits an image of security, order and labor, which made it the world’s strong safe.

Executives from rich countries who communicate with their counterparts in poor countries show that there is no significant intellectual difference.

Race or skin colour are also not important:
Immigrants labeled lazy in their countries of origin are the productive power in rich European countries.

What is the difference then?

A significant difference is seen in the attitude of the people,
framed over the years by the education and the culture.
On analyzing the behavior of the people in rich and developed countries,
we find that the great majority follow the following principles in their lives:
1. Ethics, as a basic principle.
2. Integrity.
3. Responsibility.
4. Respect to the laws and rules.
5. Respect to the rights of other citizens.
6. Work loving.
7. Strive for saving and investment.
8. Will of super action.
9. Punctuality.
In poor countries, only a minority follow these basic principles in their daily life.
We are not poor because we lack natural resources or because nature was cruel to us.
We are poor because we lack the right attitude and behaviour to go with it.
We lack the will to comply with and teach these functional principles of rich and developed societies.

At Mutual Gallery, Oxford Road, there will be “Art Fresh 2010″ on Thursday, March 4.
Guest Speaker will be Donovan Perkins, CEO, Pan Caribbean Financial Services Ltd

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS:
Camille Chedda; Robert Enfield; Tracey Franklin; Raymond Graham; Andrae Green; Chris Harris; Tricia Gordon Johnston; Robert Joyette; O’Neil Lawrence; Kirk Moore; Oliver Myrie; Ebony G Patterson; Sana Rose; Oneika Russell; Kai Watson; Cosmo Whyte
SPONSORS INCLUDE:
SuperPlus; NCB; Carrerras; RBTT; Scotia Private Client Group; Island Mist; NEM; Kool 97

Public Relations, in general is underused and underfunded, so in the midst of the legal world’s struggle to reinvent itself, social media as a PR tool is under used.

Based on what I’m seeing, there are a lot of legal marketers out there who don’t seem to understand the principles or ethics of the discipline. So, here are some rudimentary rules to keep in mind:

1. Earned media is not paid media: Honestly, any place that will take cash for editorial credit, really isn’t worth your time and isn’t credible. What’s worse is your “Pay-per-Play” strategy may end up hitting the headlines for trying to deceive the public
2. Earned media requires being interesting and open: You have to have a real, meaningful story that matters and is worth telling… A journalist, blogger or tech-savvy consumer, will only tell it if they think it’s worth listening to and sharing.
3. Listen to the people you paid to help you: Don’t hire a PR or social media person or agency and then ignore them when they tell you that the story you’re presenting is too boring, a lie or even worse, a lie that’s going to get found out. Believe it or not, there are times clients to go against their PR practitioner advice, and ended up not getting the results they sought…
4. You can’t control the message: In spite of the popular tabloid moniker, you PR person or social media specialist isn’t a doctor and shouldn’t be spinning up cures. PR enables you to communicate something demonstrably true. If you need to know how the message will look when it is shared with the public, stick to advertising.
5. When it doesn’t come out quite like you’d imagined, don’t scream at your PR person or the journalist or blogger in question. You’ll just end up making influential enemies. If you message comes out exactly as you’d hoped, make a note that the journalist in question has no integrity and soon won’t have any readers. Or, thank your luck stars that you got lucky.

TIPS ACCORDING TO WHYTE-HALL
Promoting through Google by listing with them
Click to see how Whyte-Hall lists himself on Google
Click to list free on Google

CHECK OUT HIS SITE

Jamaican-born Dancehall artist, Cham, “Baby Cham” most known for his ‘Ghetto Story’ and once described as perhaps the “next Sean Paul” will be pefroming in Sacramento.
On March 4, he will be in North California at Sacramento and Chico at the bidding of Haso.

Cham (born Damian Beckett on February 24, 1977) is a Grammy Award-nominated Jamaican recording artist. His 2006 single “Ghetto Story” from his major label debut album of the same name, led to multiple “story” songs by other artists in a similar vein. He is currently signed to Atlantic Records, and was previously known as Baby Cham, until 2005. He is still called “Baby Cham” by his Jamaican fans and fans from around the world.

The Miami New Times referred to Cham’s 2000 debut album Wow… The Story as “the most anticipated album in years from any reggae artist,” and a Washington Post review of a live Cham concert in 2006 described him as “the man who may be the next Sean Paul — a dancehall artist who crosses over to the U.S. hip-hop market.”

Throughout his career, Cham has collaborated with many hip-hop and R&B artists such as Foxy Brown, Alicia Keys, Carl Thomas, Shawn Mims, Akon, and many others.

By the cool of the flowing river in the Searganntville Community, OAaSIS volunteers will host a one-day workshop at the church building.
The area is ideal for a picnic and fun day by the river, painting, or a photoshoot and so for everyone there is double gain or more even.
The Seargantville Community is active and has over 1,000 residents.

ANTHEA MCGIBBON PHOTO: The winding path that separates the river and the Church building.

The date is set for March 28, the last Sunday before Easter Weekend.

Please consider the following carefully and confirm your attendance, as we need to know how many persons to cater for with refreshments, and should anyone need transport to this spot 1 hour from Kingston, please do not hesitate to ask!

TITLE: Creative Workshop Series — “The Critical Role and Impact of the Arts”
LOCATION: Seargantville Community
DATE: March 28 (last Sunday before Easter weekend)
TIME: 1″00-3:30
————————————SCHEDULE——————————————————–
For each day there will be three sections, in which your participation will be required (Motivation; Workshop; Project) in person, video, audio or work.
(1) MOTIVATOR where you can share about your career path, or anything relating and contributing to the development of children
PROPOSED LENGTH (15 minutes)
(2) WORKSHOP where you can make a presentation involving the children
PROPOSED LENGTH (30 min) or (1 hour) or 45 minute slots BUT PREARRANGED beforehand with other workshop presenter
(3) PROJECT where you can display or share your work through audio or video presentation, or as a live performance or exhibition.. or (b) through an actual hands-on-project such as assisting the children to prepare a painting or poem or skit or song etc.
PROPOSED LENGTH (45 mins)
MARCH 28:
01:00 – 02:00: Ceremony
02:00 – 02:05:
02:05 – 2:15 :MOTIVATOR (Life now, then future and you as a creative personality)
02:15 – 02:45: WORKSHOP: What is Arts | Relevance of Arts & Creativity |
02:45 – 03:00: PROJECT: Reading is Fun
03:00 – 03:25: PROJECT: Paint Me a mural on creation
03:25 – 03:30: Ceremony
REFRESHMENTs for presenters/crew!
————————————————RSVP——————————————————
Please confirm your hour of participation and your method and section as soon as possible. We would love to have an idea as to how many persons, and the format. Especially in preparing the certificates.
PLEASE CONFIRM BY Monday, MARCH 12.
OTHER CREATIVE WORKSHOP SERIES are being scheduled for communities, and schools including:
St Theresa’s Preparatory(May 4,6,7); St Thomas, Port Royal (1-3 days only)
NB: DONATIONS
Where you are unable to attend, please consider making a donation, however small. You will receive advertising space on the website, the event or a small token expressing and confirming the appreciation of those who benefit.

SIMON YUSEF THOMPSON PHOTO: Jon Secada, right, in a moment with Walter Elmore.

Fuerte atractivo sexual, de origen cubano Jon Secada, es sin duda entre los mejores artistas latinos de los 90, ganando un Grammy por “Mejor Álbum Pop Latino” en 1992 por su álbum “Otro Día Más Sin Verte”. Se ha vendido bien en más de 6 millones en todo el mundo.

Sin embargo, Jon Secada es un acto difícil de seguir en el recién concluido Festival de Música de Arte, especialmente con sus fascinantes actuaciones ya desde el lunes que le valió el respeto nuevo, donde ovaciones eran difíciles de recompensa por sus esfuerzos.

Actuó de su lista de grandes éxitos que incluyen Just Another Day Do You Believe in Us, Angel, soy libre, si te vas, batida, Mental Picture, Where Do I Go From You Take me, If I Never Knew You, Too Late Too Soon y Creer.

Sus movimientos eran perfectos en todas las apariencias, pero, Jon Secada está empeñado en convencer de que la música debe ser una parte de la educación de cada niño en las escuelas de música. Recientemente, el periodista y crítico de arte internacional Anthea McGibbon atrapados en el último día de “Arte de la Música” celebrada en la Trelawny Multi Purpose Stadium, y el latido de América paciente pasó tiempo para responder las siguientes preguntas.

1. 1.      AMCG: ¿Por qué eligió esta forma de música, ¿Cómo descubriste tu talento?

SECADA: Mi educación de jazz es una parte de mi historia musical. Tengo una licenciatura y un máster en el grado de rendimiento de Jazz de la Universidad de Miami. Siempre he disfrutado de la fusión de diversos estilos musicales dentro de mi propia música, porque crecí escuchando surcos tan diferentes como un niño. Esa es la inspiración para mi nuevo cd de jazz “Expresiones”.

2. AMCG: En sus experiencias y viajes, lo que ha sido su mejor momento, y los artistas favoritos o mentores?

SECADA: He tenido la oportunidad de haber disfrutado de una carrera internacional desde el primer día que mi CD de debut salió. No hay un lugar que amo más que a otro. Mis principales influencias vienen de cantautores como Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, y Elton John.

3. AMCG: ¿Cómo apariciones en conciertos Cuántos has hecho? HW variados han sido los conciertos?

SECADA: He tenido la suerte de que he sido capaz de realizar en todo el mundo ….. primera vez, aunque para mí estar incluido en el Jazz Jamaica este año y el Festival de Blues …..

4. AMCG: ¿Cuál es su última creación?

SECADA: Actualmente tengo un nuevo CD de la marca de jazz fuera llamado “expresiones”. 30 de marzo que lanzará un CD de canciones de nostalgia normas llamado “Clásicos” …

5. AMCG: ¿Cuántos años ha estado contribuyendo?

 SECADA: Mi amor por la música comenzó en la escuela secundaria … estudié música durante seis años en la Universidad de Miami, y he sido músico profesional durante 25 años

5b. AMCG: ¿Por qué viniste a bordo a bordo de arte de la música?

SECADA: me honra y halaga que me hayan pedido ser parte de Jazz de este año y el Festival de Blues. Jamaica es un país con profundas tradiciones de sus raíces musicales.

6. AMCG: ¿Cuál ha sido su experiencia como?

SECADA: tuve una semana tremenda !!….

7. AMCG: ¿Cómo se compara arte de la música a otros conciertos?

SECADA: La magnitud de este festival es muy impresionante … a partir de la organización de ésta, a la cola de los artistas que vienen cada año.

8. AMCG: ¿Cómo críticos pertinentes / impacto es Jazz como una forma de arte? ¿Se practican otras formas de arte o de carrera?

SECADA: Para mí, mi educación en la música de jazz ha representado una gran diferencia como cantante, compositor y productor, en la forma en que me comunico con otro artista. Además de música, actuación y teatro musical ha sido otra pasión de, la mía. He hecho dos espectáculos de Broadway en mi carrera, que he aprendido y disfrutado enormemente.

9. AMCG: ¿Cómo ve el desarrollo de todo el mundo del jazz?

SECADA: El jazz es una forma de arte con una fundación, en este momento sobre la base de las tradiciones musicales que transmitido de generación en generación por el valor y profundidad del arte propio formulario.

10. AMCG: ¿Cómo ve usted Jazz a nivel mundial en decir 5,10,15 años, especialmente en una época de desarrollo?

SECADA: Jazz se desarrollará la misma manera que otras formas de arte musical de la voluntad, que en mi opinión se basa en el carácter y la pasión del artista nueva entrada en la escena …

11. ¿Cómo ve su arte como un artista de gira jazz?

SECADA: Mi carrera musical después de un graduado de la universidad con mi título de jazz, se impregnó con todo tipo de estilos musicales, jazz sido uno de ellos …. y siempre será así.

12. AMCG: ¿Cuál es su próximo proyecto, producción, etc?

SECADA: El CD de jazz ahora “, las expresiones “….. 30 de marzo,” Clásicos “…. más tarde hacia el final del año también tengo un DVD en directo que sale que grabé en Brasil y un CD de pop en español, así …

LEA MAS (READ MORE in english) A chat with Jon Secada