Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (EMCVPA/EDNA) celebrated a monumental milestone last Thursday with its groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction of the Hope Brooks Painting Studio.

This vital space, named after renowned Jamaican visual artist Hope Brooks, was severely damaged by fire in September 2021. Thanks to the generous support of the Sagicor Foundation, which allocated $25 million as part of the Sagicor Sigma 25th Legacy Run initiative, the studio is set to rise again, Edna Manley College said in a release.

Held at the college’s School of Visual Arts (SVA) car park, the ceremony marked a pivotal step in its journey to restore a critical part of its artistic legacy. Key stakeholders, including Sagicor President and CEO Christopher Zacca, Interim Principal Dorrett R Campbell, Vice-Principal of Administration and Resource Development Leighton Jones, esteemed alumna Ebony G Patterson, and members of the college’s faculty, staff, and student body, were in attendance.

Principal Campbell, in her address, lauded the space for its past achievements while looking ahead.

“This is a moment of triumph, where we rise like a phoenix from the ashes of disappointment. The fire that engulfed the Hope Brooks Studio was more than a physical loss; it tested our resilience as an institution. For decades, this studio was a space where dreams took shape, brushes painted the soul of a nation, and countless students, including Ebony G. Patterson, discovered their voice through art. This groundbreaking ceremony marks a symbolic step in our journey to ‘build back better’,” Campbell said.

The rebuilding effort underscores the college’s commitment to shaping the next generation of contributors to the creative economy across the Caribbean. It also highlights the profound impact of partnerships between education, the arts, and corporate Jamaica, the college said in its release.

Master of Ceremony and College Orator Dr Amina Blackwood Meeks eloquently noted: “We are celebrating that one han’ cyaan clap, and how grateful we are to have friends and good corporate citizens we can lean on to help us rise when we stumble.”

Sagicor CEO Zacca emphasised the organisation’s unwavering commitment to nation-building and cultural advancement.

“Our relationship with EDNA began long before it became a beneficiary of the 2023 Sigma Run. Since 2016, the School of Visual Arts has played an integral role in the event, with teachers and students volunteering to create our iconic start line mural each year. EDNA has long been a beacon of artistic excellence and cultural development. This organisation is at the heart of our cultural identity. It was an easy decision to support this effort, and today we are thrilled to finally break ground for a new and improved facility,” Zacca said.

While Sagicor’s $25 million grant enables the college to begin removing and rebuilding, EDNA still requires corporate support to finance the remaining $28 million in renovations. Artist Hope Brooks, whose name the studio proudly bears, shared her thoughts on the momentous occasion and why the arts are a necessary investment.

“This studio, and this event for me, represents the development of creativity, one of the oldest activities of humankind since prehistoric times. The rebuilding of the studio symbolises creativity and a strong belief in the arts in Jamaica. It’s about artistic expression, which is vital to our culture and development because it tells us what a nation is about,” Brooks said.

Internationally acclaimed visual artist and educator Ebony G Patterson reflected on the profound role the studio played in her own artistic journey, saying “Hope Brooks Painting Studio is not just a building; the school means a lot to me. Although the building contains almost two years of memories that I lived as a student, I am possible because of this place, and so I am committed to my institution.”

SVA Dean Miriam Hinds-Smith was emotional as she, too, shared her thoughts on the studio’s revival signifying creative continuity and resilience.

“This ground-breaking for me represents a full cycle. The building was proposed when I was a student, and when I returned as an adjunct faculty member, the plans for it were presented. It warms my heart to see that not only past generations of students grew here, but that many others will, when it is rebuilt. Sagicor’s push is positioning us to say to Jamaica, ‘Wake up and recognise the value and vibrancy EDNA brings to the global creative community. This institution is a part of you, a part of this nation. It warrants your inclusion and support,’” Hinds-Smith said.

EDNA’s Hope Brooks Painting Studio has long been a cornerstone of creative inquiry and instruction, nurturing generations of visual artists who have made an impact on the regional and international stages.

With this historic occasion, the college said it reaffirms its dedication to fostering innovation, creativity, and cultural expression, ensuring both the studio and the School of Visual Arts’ legacy will continue to inspire for decades to come.