As

the coronavirus pandemic pummels industries across the world, homebound

Jamaicans scramble for entertainment activities to fill their quarantined

hours.

With the closure of theatres, galleries, festivals and museums due to the spread of COVID-19, the Kingston Creative ArtWalk, in an unprecedented move on Sunday, March 29, took the bold move of going virtual.

Marketing

brand lead Tavia Benjamin said that the creative house needed to seek

innovative ways on how they could maximise the full potential of the digital

community, allowing creatives to glean visibility internationally and locally.

“We pivoted very quickly at the onset of COVID-19 and developed the Virtual ArtWalk because it provides a way for Jamaican creatives to be visible to a global audience at this time. It is especially appreciated by those in the Diaspora who have heard about the Artwalk and who might want to buy from and support local creatives,†she told BUZZ.

View this post on Instagram “Di dalla jus slip pass mi!” The poetry Society of Jamaican is committed to encouraging the appreciation and engagement of poetry as a valid organic means of expression and communication. Incredible line up featuring the premiere of a piece by Wise Wurdz and Toot Hibbert Facebook: Poetry Society of Jamaica IG: @poetrysocietyja #KingstonCreative #VirtualArtwalk #VirtualArtwalk2020 #ArtDistrict #DowntownKingstonArtDistrict #DKAD #CreativeHub #Jamaica #DowntownKingston #Artwalk #poetry #poetsofinstagram #poetA post shared by Kingston Creative (@kingstoncreativejm) on Mar 29, 2020 at 11:22am PDT

“In

very practical dollar terms, this Virtual Artwalk allows creative entrepreneurs

to continue to earn. We employ the same number of artists and artisans that

would have been involved at the regular in-person event. The sponsors also get

visibility to an audience of millions. It’s really a win-win.â€

Though

many see the pandemic as a disadvantage, Arts Programme Manager, Abigail Ramsay,

says it has fostered a whole new world of unimaginable thinking that has

brought the world closer to the creative industry.

“The

ArtWalk, in a way, has become a monthly ritual for artists, artisans, and

lovers of Jamaican arts. In times of crisis, it is important not give up our

rituals! We have the technology and the platforms to continue to provide

opportunities to Jamaican artists and creatives. Plus, we could open the work

to the Diaspora. Coping with the COVID-19 pandemics has closed the door on our

gatherings yet opened many possibilities, including documentation and bringing

artists’ work to the world,†she told BUZZ.

View this post on Instagram Market Street Sponsored by @sagicorja: Vendors Ÿ§º Chandis Art Vision @chandisartvisions Ÿ§º Delroy Russell @delroy_russell #KngstonCreative #jamaica #VrtualArtwalk #MarketStreet #creativehub #virtualartwalk2020 #ArtDistrict #DKAD #MarketStreet #SagicorA post shared by Kingston Creative (@kingstoncreativejm) on Mar 29, 2020 at 11:04am PDT

With one down and three more to go, the virtual Artwalk will continue its journey in the coming months.

“We do see the benefit in continuing

a digital version of the Artwalk even after COVID-19 restrictions have eased.

It’s a great way to reach a wider audience and to document the experience. We

plan to facilitate artists in hosting more virtual events in the future,â€

Ramsay shared.

The

creative house will be opening applications as of next month to assist

creatives to amplify their talent and voices through an array of projects.

“The

Virtual Artwalk is just the first one of a series of four digital commissions

that we are rolling out over the next few months. After a review with our first

50 sponsors, we are allocating $2,700,000 to new commissions that creatives in

Jamaica can apply to between March 20 to May 31, 2020,†Ramsay told BUZZ.