St. Mary Artist Wins Gold for Crochet Piece in JCDC Competition

When Glenevea Paul-Penny from St. Mary first picked up her crochet hook again last year, she had no idea that within months, she would be standing among some outstanding artists.

Her intricately woven fibre art creation, ‘Jah Kass Seh Di World Nuh Level’, earned her a gold medal at the 2025 Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Visual Arts Competition.

The gold-winning piece, which was featured in the Gold Medal Winners Exhibition held recently at the Olympia Art Centre on Old Hope Road in Kingston, drew the admiration of judges and visitors alike.

“This piece was a personal challenge. It took me seven days to complete,” Ms. Paul-Penny told JIS News.

The fibre artist said she wanted her work to capture the heart of the Jamaican culture, while evoking fond memories of growing up in rural Jamaica.

“I want something that when someone sees it, it speaks to them… . It brings up childhood memory, or just looking at it as an art lover, you’ll see little things. The title can kind of [give an idea] … because if you realise, the donkey has a bum leg, so when I said [Jah Kass Seh Di World Nuh Level], that should pull up something,” she said.

Each detail of ‘Jah Kass Seh Di World Nuh Level’ tells a story, from its humble materials to its symbolic design.

Ms. Paul-Penny revealed that she took great care in selecting and crafting every element.

“As I’m building it, I’m like, it’s a fibre arts competition. I need to add some more stuff. So, the bridle is made from whisk. I got the whisk, dried it, and then crocheted it. I didn’t want to buy a plastic eye, I wanted the donkey eye specifically for the donkey,” she explained.

Her dedication to authenticity also led her to incorporate beads and pansy seeds, which she used to pull the piece together and celebrate the organic beauty of Jamaican craftsmanship.

The result is a captivating, tactile work that bridges traditional craft with fine art.

Winning gold was a dream come true for the first-time entrant, who said she entered the competition with modest expectations.

“I’m super excited… and I received gold. When I got the gold medal, I was like, yes! Hard work pays off,” she said beaming.

She admitted that she initially hoped only to pass the first adjudication round, but the recognition has motivated her to continue pursuing art more seriously.

Surprisingly, Ms. Paul-Penny’s journey with crochet began not long ago. Though she had watched her mother, Angela Geddes, crochet for years, she had not considered turning it into her own artistic outlet.

“My mom crochets… . I love crochet but crochet just never loved me… . Last year I got back into crocheting, so officially I started last year,” she said.

Ms. Geddes could not hide her excitement at her daughter’s achievement.

“Words cannot explain… . I am so happy,” she shared, noting that she always believed in her daughter’s creativity.

She also encouraged parents to nurture their children’s talents, no matter how unconventional they may seem. “You never know what will come from giving them that push,” she told JIS News.

Beyond her personal victory, Ms. Paul-Penny believes her achievement represents the broader evolution of Jamaican art.

She expressed gratitude that platforms like the JCDC Visual Arts competition are helping to elevate and redefine what is traditionally viewed as art.

“I like the fact that we are showcasing the fact that art isn’t just drawing… . We’re looking at fibre art, we’re looking at sculpture, we’re looking at fashion designing… being recognised for it – that’s what I’m loving about the direction that art is taking in Jamaica,” she said.

For Ms. Paul-Penny, the gold medal is not just an award; it is validation that art in any form, when infused with heart and heritage, has the power to inspire, connect, and uplift.

As she looks ahead, she hopes to continue exploring fibre art and perhaps even mentor others who, like her, are rediscovering the joy of handmade expression.

“This is just the beginning… . If you put your heart into it, art will always find a way to speak,” she said.