SOME of Jamaica’s youngest creatives and enthusiasts converged on the New Kingston Business Centre on Saturday, November 5, for what was dubbed an historic presentation of culture and art.

Not knowing what the response would have been like in light of the fact that most of Kingston’s young crowds are mostly drawn to parties and club events, Shaundel Campbell defied the odds and gave birth to ‘Imprint’ – a backlight event borne out the need for a platform for young artists, musicians, photographers, poets, illustrators, and other creatives.

Imprint featured six poets, a fashion designer, body painters, and a total of 16 artists, three recording artistes and other musicians. The works from the artists featured colourful and abstract pieces, photographs that captured the beauty of a moment or person, and black womanhood.

One patron, Chevion Morgan, said he was very grateful for the opportunity to experience such an event “that is being championed by a new generation of artistic individuals”.

Imprint conceptualiser Campbell explained that the idea came from the fact that it is very difficult for creative people to find platforms for expression.

“It gave me the greatest joy. I have never felt so happy about anything because I am so passionate about art and young creatives. Imprint is my blood, sweat and tears for Jamaican youth,” said the 21-year-old University of the West Indies psychology student.

“I have put together a small media group, Roux Media, which comprises photographers, cinematographers, and we push out creative projects to showcase our talents and inspire others,” she said, adding that they working alongside Leggo Career Jamaica to build and promote other young, talented youth.

She said that the decision to focus on her art was not easy, as she was discouraged from doing what she loves because it was deemed useless. However, her father encouraged her not to let go of her passion.

“I was born holding a gel ink pen. As I got older, I was always the brightest, did well in school, and I never had the thought of taking art seriously because I was taught that they (artists) don’t make money anyway. I decided I wanted to do it in grade 10 for CXC and my mother would not have it,” she said.

That period, she lamented, was a very emotional time for her as she was told to go to medical school because she was wasting her brain.

“I did not draw for five years. In university, I started drawing again because my friend was having an art show. Then I fell in love with it again, and I was

not going to let anyone tell me it is useless. I felt like I found my purpose, being reunited with my passion after so long. My talent, paired with my passion and a great support system has pushed me to do great things,” Campbell said.

The self-taught artist, who said she identifies most with surrealism, argued that art is very important and valuable to society, so every artist can contribute much if he or she is given the support, platforms and resources.

“As Jamaicans, we are socialised to think that there is not much to gain from being a creative because it’s not conventional. It is always ‘Be a doctor, lawyer.’ But actually, there is everything to gain from being creative. Innovative minds spark changes in society,” she said.

“Creative minds are a valuable resource that is not capitalised on. In every organisation someone with cool ideas, if just given creative freedom, can revolutionise the entire company. I plan to change how art is viewed with work in Leggo Career Jamaica and my media group. It is not merely just being an artist, but a creative person. We can do so much, but often go unrecognised,” she said.

She has adopted the Pablo Picasso quote — ‘Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up’ — as her mantra.

Pointing out that she and the Spanish artist share the same birth date (October 25), Campbell declares: “That was no coincidence.”

She added that her aim is to own well-established businesses and a media group and “maybe be the minister of youth and culture”.

“I’ll see where life takes me. As well as I want my work to be in the national gallery,” she said.

She encouraged other artists and young creatives to not await recognition from other people. “Put your stuff out there and the right people will find you,” she advised.

Campbell added that her work is a mixture of philosophy, psychology and the anatomy, that drew the comment “Your art really makes me think. I think you did psychology to add to your art,” from a viewer some time ago.

“I think every artist should be given the opportunity to make an imprint on society,” she said, adding that her greatest artistic success was being asked to be featured in the Imago Mundi, a collection of works commissioned and collected by Italian Luciano Benetton on his travels around the world.

She said that the digital marketing brand, Leggo Career, that she is currently working with and which was spearheaded by her very close friends Kirk Douglas and Hakeem Bryan — who conjured the slang in light of the nature of Imprint — has become a huge wave among young Jamaicans across social media.

“They are not the average paint and paintbrush artists, but they are creative persons just like me, and that is what ties us together. Leggo Career Jamaica plans on giving youths a chance to get in touch with their passion by using our resources and creative platforms like Imprint. With proper funding we can sreally make waves in society, lowering crime rates and encouraging youth,” Campbell said.

She further explained that they plan to do everything from creating music videos for upand-coming artistes to media management, to published interviews of small business owners providing immaculate exposure and building individual brands.

“It is not about just someone who can sing or draw, it is about empowering young, creative minds to think differently and make changes in society that can contribute to building up our economy,” Campbell argued. “This is about inspiring everyone who has a good idea, a dream. I think this organisation is exactly what Jamaica needs.”