JCDC Invites Entries for Visual Arts and Gospel Song Contests

Talented Jamaican artists, songwriters and performers are being reminded to submit their applications for the 2015 Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) visual arts and gospel song competitions.

The closing date for entering the Jamaica Visual Arts Competition and Exhibition is Friday (January 16), while the deadline for the Jamaica Gospel and Children Gospel Song contests is Friday (January 30).

For the visual arts competition, persons can enter in the categories of ceramics, painting, fibre arts, photography, sculpture/assemblage, video art and works on paper.

Persons entering the Gospel Song contests can compete with original or cover songs in the solo, choir and ensemble categories and can utilise any genre of music to spread the gospel.

Director, Marketing and Public Relations, Stephen Davidson, said persons who miss the deadline for the Jamaica Gospel Competition can still enter during the audition stage.

“We will be hosting four elimination shows and so they can enter on spot once they come at 8:30 a.m. to be registered, but we are encouraging everybody to get in their entries before January 30,” he advised.

Mr. Davidson said that persons who fail an audition can re-enter at another location “providing they enter with a new song.”

The auditions will take place at the St. Mark’s Anglican Church Hall, Mandeville; Calvary Circuit of Baptist Churches, Montego Bay; St. Mary’s Parish Church Hall, Port Maria, and Rehoboth Gospel Assembly, St. Andrew, on February 3, 4, 5 and 6, respectively. Auditions start at 10:00 a.m. each day, with registration at 9:00 a.m.

Entry forms can be obtained from the JCDC head office, 3-5 Phoenix Avenue, parish offices islandwide, or downloaded from its website at www.jcdc.gov.jm.

Mr. Davidson said that persons living in Kingston can also submit entries for the Visual Arts Competition at Shop #25, Kingston Mall on Orange Street, downtown.

He noted that the Commission received “overwhelming support” for last year’s competitions adding that some 300 entries were submitted for the adult contests.

“We are expecting to top that. We encourage persons not to be afraid to enter. Use it as a stepping stone; it’s a developmental tool that you can use to advance yourself. You may never know. There are so many avenues that can open up,” he added.

Last year, the Commission was able to showcase past performers and entrants on the ‘Arts in the Park: Gospel Edition’ event organised by the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, which provided the opportunity for international exposure.

“You never know what opportunities may arise from entering these competitions, so we encourage all persons to get involve,” Mr. Davidson emphasised.