Dr. DeGrasse-Johnsonreceives prestigious award from Temple University, USA

From Principal’s Desk celebrates Hope Wheeler

Petrona Morrison:Artist & Lecturer

Campus News: Pioneer musician ‘Jah Jerry’ of the Skatalites awards scholarships to School of Music

Summer School registration opens

Editorial

Congratulations to our principal Dr. Nicholeen DeGrasse-Johnson, for being awarded the Sarah Hilsendager Professional Educator Award. The Award was presented on May 14, 2014 at the University of Temple, Boyer School of Dance and Music, Philadelphi, USA.

The Sarah Hilsendager Professional Educator Award is a prestigious award given to an educator who has contributed significantly to the development of dance education. The awarding committee recognizes Dr. DeGrasse- Johnson’s sterling contribution to scholarship in her doctoral dissertation in dance education, coupled with years of devoted service to the development and promotion of the arts both locally and internationally.

Dr. DeGrasse- Johnson is the first person to hold a doctorate in Dance in Jamaica.

She has over 25 years of experience as a choreographer, educator, dance advocate, consultant and specialist at various levels.

As we come to the end of another semester and the close of yet another academic year, I think it is timely that we celebrate the people at the College who work tirelessly to uphold our mission of...

“enrich[ing] the aesthetic sensibilities and promoting the cultural diversity of the Caribbean through the highest quality education and training in the visual and performing arts.”

In this issue, we celebrate the achievements of our principal Dr. Nicholeen DeGrasse-Johnson, who will receive the Sarah Hilsendager Professional Educator Award from Temple University, USA. The prestigious award is given to an educator who has contributed significantly to the development of dance education.

The Principal’s Desk feature continues its highlight on one of our retirees, Mrs. Hope Wheeler, and our faculty feature celebrates veteran artist and lecturer, Ms. Petrona Morrison.

Do enjoy the glorious days of summer and look out for our yearly issue of our arts magazine The Collage in the next school year. One loveColeen Douglas Marketing and Public Relations Manager, EMCVPA

Submit all editorial material to marketing@emc.edu.jm with “The Collegiate Editorial” included in the subject line.

Dr. Nicholeen DeGrasse-Johnson does it again!

Photograph by Mark Samuels

Dear EMCVPA Family and Friends,

In May, the College will be celebrating the invaluable contribution of our retirees—those creative, talented and committed individuals who dedicated years of service to the development of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. As I reviewed the list of retirees, I remembered instances where I would have interacted with many of these individuals, memories filled with respect, laughter, a deep and mutual love for our students, and an understanding of their needs and those of the institution.

In the case of Mrs. Hope Wheeler, one of my first interactions with her came through her daughter Kathryn. At 4 years old, Kathryn liked to live dangerously (like so many other toddlers). My vocabulary around Kathryn included for the most part, “Kathryn, get down!” and “Kathryn stop doing that!.” As a young teacher

I was fazed by Kathryn; I had to find her mother. I was immediately drawn to Mrs. Wheeler. I spoke about Kathryn, Mrs. Wheeler listened. At the end of the conversation, I understood Mrs. Wheeler’s “I’ll talk to her for you” as a recognition of Kathryn’s precociousness, but also took it as the identification, acceptance and honing of children’s inherent creativity and exuberance.

By and large though, we spoke about the College, the impact of our art, fashioning the development of our students, enjoying our students and the experiences and personalities that each bring to us as teachers, and learning from our students. Our conversation that day, and many others however they started, revolved around sharing our art with youngsters.

Students loved “Sweetie” Wheeler. I believe that was because Mrs. Wheeler openly demonstrated her interest in the success of her students. She was dedicated to them, in getting them through, and most importantly to the process—the art, the teaching.

Any sort of development, personal or collective, is the result of the dedication of individual(s) and the discipline to make that development happen. As artists, and through the process of our art, it is often that we have to reflect on the discipline and sacrifices that have allowed us to reach this far in our art and to maintain our excellence. What have your sacrifices been? Is discipline a part of your system of belief and actions?

Years from now, it is the discipline with which we approach our work and/or association with the College, which will maintain the legacy of an institution that is unique for its wholistic development of individuals and society through art.

Please remember you can reach me anytime by dropping a line to principal@emc.edu.jm.

SincerelyNicholeen DeGrasse-Johnson, Ph.D.Principal, EMCVPA

From the Principal’s Desk

Dr. Nicholeen DeGrasse-Johnson does it again! Hope Wheeler in her earlier years

Art work by Hope Wheeler, Past Director of studies, School of Visual Arts

Mandeville born and Kingston rasied, Petrona Morrison knew she was destined to be an artist from a tender age. She completed her Bachelor Degree at McMaster University, Canada and went on to pursue her Masters at Howard University, USA. Ms. Morrison joined the EMCVPA family in 1988 as a part-time lecturer and was so for a couple of years until she went on staff full-time. A well accomplished woman, she has travelled extensively with her art to England, Cuba (Havana Biennial) and South Africa, just to name a few. She explains that above all her travel and experiences’ being here at EMCVPA is the most significant and rewarding. “Teaching at EMCVPA helped to develop my

art, being in this fertile space, getting from teaching and doing research”. She believes her students impact on her significantly, “You give and you get as ideas change, you teach the students but you also get in the process.”

Also a recipient of the Musgrave Medal, Morrison explains that EMCVPA has changed significantly since she first started in 88’, namely the expansion of the academic programme; “the diploma was strong but the introduction of the degree expanded potential for its time.” There is also the focus on research and the documentation of the process; Research Day and Rex Nettleford Arts Conference being the pioneers. These events highlight how research informs what is done in studio as well as documenting what is currently being done, which is critical to the process of Art.

Morrison thinks we are on the right path as a college. Highlighting that the things we do now weren’t done back in the days and so, like art, our growth is a process. She highlights that all major practitioners were born out of EMCVPA and that the college boast a record of performance, long heritage and quality. She continually impresses on people that what is happening now is a continuation of the past and describes herself as a part of that process, an experience she is most grateful to have had. Now eyeing retirement, says she will miss the people here at EMCVPA the most.

Petrona Morrison ARTIST & LECTURER

Petrona Morrison, titled Sentinel, 1992

Petrona Morrison, titled Sanctuary space for me, 1995

Petrona Morrison ARTIST & LECTURER Ebony Patterson,

SVA Past Student, Stages Performance Art Protest During Carnival

Image: Motza Ramon

Jamaica born international artist and School of Visual Arts past student, Ebony Patterson, brought tasteful controversy to Carnival Road March 2014 Jamaica with her latest performance art piece Invisible Presence: Bling Memories. The procession of fifty (50) pseudo-protestors, alongside the St. Michael Steppers community marching band, walked with blinged out coffins hoisted in the air to, as Patterson puts it, “make the invisible visible.” The march was social commentary on the injustices that occur among the invisible portions of our society, using the Tivoli incursion as the prime example.

Flashback:Check out this image of our Dynamic Dance Faculty from Labrish 2010

Name of Dance:Reflections of a Moving MindTribute to Rex NettledordDirected by Tamara Thomas

(l-r) Arsenio Andrade, Kerry-Ann Henry, Marlon Simms, Patrick Earle,Neila Ebanks, Michelle Patterson

Hidden: Tamara Thomas, Lisa Wilson

the Vine

Petrona Morrison, titled Sentinel, 1992

Petrona Morrison, titled Sanctuary space for me, 1995

Jah Jerry Inc., a New York based non-profit organization named in honour of legendary Jamaican guitarist, Jerome Haynes, recently awarded two (2) scholarships to students of Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (EMCVPA).

The scholarships, valued at US$1000 each, were awarded to School of Music students, Brown and Carlton Jarrett. Brown is a final year student and member of the Di Blueprint

Band, the reigning champions of the 2012-2013 Global Battle of the Bands. Jarrett is a third year student and bass guitarist who has recorded with Alaine and Jermaine Edwards while performing alongside artistes such as Chronixx, DJ Nicholas, Kevin Downswell, Chevelle Franklyn and Tarrus Riley.

The late Haynes was a pioneer musician who helped with the development of the Ska sound and was a founding member

of the Skatalites band. Jah Jerry Inc. was created in his honour with the mission of promoting music education internationally. Annually, the Jerome “Jah Jerry” Haynes scholarship is awarded to students enrolled full-time in a music programme at the tertiary level with the guitar as the principal instrument. Recipients must also have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or B average and prove financial need.

Pioneer musician ‘Jah Jerry’ of the Skatalites awards scholarships to School of Music

Haynes (left) presents scholarship award recipient Carlton Jarrett with his award.

James Haynes (left) son of the late Jerome Haynes and President of Jah Jerry Inc. presents scholarship award recipient Elton Brown with his award.

The Halls of Residence last month visited the Jamaica Christian Boys Home, as part of an outreach project led by students and Halls of Residence Manager, Rudolf Rowe. The visit on Saturday, April 5, 2014, was

a resounding success as the students, with the assistance of Camp Crusaders representative Carol Richards, gave each boy a package consisting of bed linen, a bath towel, toiletries and a t-shirt. The boys also

received a hot meal courtesy of the EMCVPA group who played football and cricket with the boys and engaged them with music demonstrations.

Halls of Residence Visits Jamaica Christian Boys Home

SVA Textile and Fibre Arts Workshop Series, Part 1:The Business of Fashion with Kerry-Ann Clarke

Kerry-Ann Clarke, proprietor of KERRY manwomanhome and producer of The Collection Moda made a presentation to SVA Textile and Fibre Arts students on the Business of Fashion on Wednesday, April 2, 2014. The workshop is one in a series of planned workshops and presentation aimed at strengthening and reinforcing aspects of areas taught in the various textiles and fashion courses.

“I know you are all eager to join in with me to proclaim, “The HR Divas have done it again!!!.” Well done MY ladies (HR Department/HR Divas) a very wonderfully executed event.”

Marcia Donaldson Thomas

“It was truly a rewarding day. Thanks to everyone for the hard work in pulling this event together. Special kudos to Norda and Jackie.”

Claudia Woon-Chin

“Well done! I love my passport. Great idea.”Phylis Hemmings

“It was truly a wonderful, rewarding, excellent day. Keep it up HR. Excellent work ladies (Norda and Jackie) and team.”

Vashti Shaw Harris

“I enjoyed the Wellness Fair. My son and I went to the dentist and got our teeth cleaned. It was indeed a success. Well done my good friend diva Miss Barrett, and yea, Miss Dillon big up uself…” Rudolf Rowe

“Once again, it was a great success and we look forward to many more to come. Congratulations to the team. I thoroughly enjoyed all that was on display, not to mention Elsa’s Blend of Tea. I tasted the raw chocolate mix up.  Then got my eyes tested. For once, I was able to go to all the booths (Well, almost all)…” Erica Davis

Wellness Fair2014 Highlights

Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts

Summer

Course 2014

Playwriting I

Students will learn how to write skits and short plays through an introduction to the fundamentals of playwrit-ing including the construction of plot, incident, charac-ter, setting around a central theme.

Mondays and Wednesday 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Cost: $25,000.00

Playwriting II

Students will build on fundamentals of playwriting through approaching complex storylines, sub-plots, complex characters and a textured rounded play – 60 minutes to full length.

Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm Cost: $25,000.00

For further information contact 619-EDNA or email continuing@emc.edu.jm

www.emc.edu.jm

June 9 – July 24

The COLLEGIATE is a monthly newsletter published by the Marketing and PR Department of EMCVPA

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