We’ve heard time and again that children are the future. So many of our youth possess incredible innate talents — whether performing, culinary, literary of visual — and now there is a foundation that seeks to ‘Educate, Expose, and Empower’ these youths.

Enter Manifesto Jamaica, a non-profit organisation spearheaded by a group of visionaries, progressive individuals, who are arguably themselves, Jamaican youths, making this in essence a ‘for-the-youth, by-the-youth’ initiative.

Building a nation through arts and culture is their goal, and Manifesto Jamaica has already been staging cultural events, all to benefit this cause. Friday, August 13, 2010 saw the presentation of the first in the series ‘Art’ical Exposure, which manifested itself in a night of art, poetry and music at Bookophilia’s Hope Road headquarters.

‘The Arts’ was the order of the evening, and following the welcome and libations — drumming and sprinkling of water — the proceedings were underway, beginning with an open mic segment, where guests were invited to share their thoughts, and words, through song or poetry. The headline acts were spoken word artists Yashika Graham and Ganja as well as musician and lyricist Jason Worton.

There was too, the visual side of things, where, housed inside the bookstore were artwork by Kori Solomon, Chung Knight and Warren Alexander. Solomon and Alexander each displayed a series of photographs with Alexander’s being ‘untitled’ and Solomon’s holding the theme Unexpected Aspects of my Soul. Knight, on the other hand, displayed a sculpture titled Study #1 from his Locked Series.

Warren Alexander is one of the young artists who were afforded the opportunity to boast the fruits of his labour at the event. Though he displayed photographs, he does however have additional talents in the visual arts.

Warren Alexander

An aspiring photographer, Alexander also has an aptitude for graphic design and sculpture. The artist admits that he has in fact been intrigued by art all his life, however only deciding to pursue it professionally during his years at Munro College. A graduate in Sculpture from the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, he currently works with digital photography; but being the artist that he is, his mind-set is ever-changing, and understandibly he doesn’t want to limit himself when it comes to his creativity: “My selection of medium depends on the concept I’m dealing with, so it’s very possible that my next project will involve pen and ink if it best suits what I’m trying to express.”

Introduced to the movement by Manifesto Jamaica’s Visual Arts Director, Neville Ewers, coincidentally a former fellow schoolmate from Edna Manley, Alexander didn’t need much encouraging to come on board to display his work. “I think its a great idea because it gives (the youths) a productive outlet and an opportunity for social as well as personal development. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to exhibit my work, it gives my fellow young artists and myself much-needed exposure.”

His pieces at ‘Art’ical Exposure are said to relate to the intimate relationship existing between a photographer and his model — a far cry from his final-year pieces which portrayed “…a certain relationship between technology and nature” — involving the use of car parts and scrap metal to create images such as Bug and Bad Cabbage. In essence he sees his work as embodying not only human relations, but also that between humans and the natural world.

A few years down the line, he may pursue post-graduate studies, however for now, most prevailing is the desire to do more exhibitions and perhaps transition into film.

‘Art’ical Exposure

Having the freedom to express is liberating for an artist, especially when there are few avenues through which they are able to expose their work. Fortunately, Manifesto Jamaica has offered this platform. For these young artists, this is only the beginning of more opportunities to come, to express their creativity. It is one of Manifesto Jamaica’s missions, to drive the point home that to pursue the arts as a career is honourable — that one’s artistic calling can be deemed a viable and worthy profession.

According to Manifesto Jamaica representative Gavin Hutchinson, “There are limited economic opportunities and many of today’s youth are unprepared to operate in a corporate environment, for example. One thing that we do have is a groundswell of culture; there is no shortage of artistically talented youth in this country. Manifesto|Jamaica is simply taking a stance to do what is conceivable to bridge the gap between the talented and the resources that will allow them to convert talent to self-actualisation.”

He continues: “A major part of what we do is Arts Advocacy; we are currently partaking in serious research geared towards a more complete comprehension of Arts and Culture in the global context. We will report our findings with the intention of influencing government policy. We view this as our role in the responsible development of the Creative Industries in Jamaica.”

The movement seeks to push forth the message that to work in the creative industry plays an integral role in the maintenance of a healthy society.

And they welcome you to support, and be a part of, it.