ROUND HILL, Hanover — The Pineapple Room at the Round Hill Hotel in Hanover was abuzz with art enthusiasts and collectors last week Wednesday. The atmosphere was charged with positive vibes, vintage wines and finger foods, and in instances tastefully lining the walkway to the sanctuary were the sculptured treasures of five of our finest wood sculptors in Jamaica.

They were on show thanks to the creative collaboration of the Tourism Product Development Company Ltd (TPDCo) and Round Hill Hotel & Villas.

The event marked the launch of the first of what is hoped to be several of these exhibitions which will be shared in various resorts across the island.

“This is an effort to re-value authentic Jamaican art and craft and promote our master craftsmen to Jamaicans and our visitors alike,” expressed Craft Council Chairman Mary Helen Reece is.

Managing Director of Round Hill Josef Forstmayr gave a hearty welcome to the visitors and locals who turned out to sgive their upport. He expressed pleasure at the partnership and reiterated Round Hill’s commitment to the programme. A brief overview was given by TPDCo’s Director of Craft Arlene McKenzie who expressed her sincere pleasure at being able to bring together these artists, largely intuitive, but masters in their creative calling.

Among the artists highlighted were Abdel Mason, a self-taught Hanoverian, who specialises in Lignum Vitae and Fitz Mitchell, a trained engineer, who worked as an auto mechanic before finding his life’s calling in sculpting wood. Rose Hall carvers, Errol Anderson and Stafford Stewart, distinctive artisans who are recent recipients of a training programme delivered by the Prince’s School of Traditional Arts in the UK as part of an initiative by Michele Rollins at Rose Hall Developments, although not on location had patrons intrigued by their work. Curator/Sculptor Errol Lewis who was also on hand to lead the charge and also to showcase his eclectic works encouraged the gathering to take something home with them.

The artists were able to share their stories and to explain their techniques one on one with visitors who expressed delight at the quality of work displayed. Before the night was over several pieces had already sold “like hot bread” leaving both the host and the guests quite pleased for having been there. The exhibition ended yesterday.