MONTEGO BAY, St James — In an effort to attract more submissions for its Due West exhibit, National Gallery West has added another $200,000 to the prize money.

“On the second instalment we had introduced a cash prize. The artist that received the most votes would win a cash prize of $50,000,” said Monique Gilpin, assistant curator for National Gallery West, which is an arm of the National Gallery.

“This time around, they’ll receive $250,000 so I would think that is a little bit more enticing and would encourage them to apply,’” she told the Jamaica Observer.

The first exhibition was in 2019 and the second in 2020. COVID-19 threw them off track but now they are back, eager to engage with artists from the western end of the island for the third staging.

“A lot of people have been asking about the exhibition and now we are ready to accept submissions,” Gilpin said.

It is expected that pieces on display will include paintings, drawings, print collages, photography, and sculpture. Also anticipated are installations in any form: sculpture, glass, textiles, ceramics, fibre art, audio visual, digital art, and performance art.

Gilpin explained that the National Gallery has recognised the importance of ensuring that western Jamaica is given an equal opportunity to be part of the art world.

“We felt the need, as an institution that caters to the arts and the arts industry and the culture of art, to give artists that platform to do so as there is really not much of that happening on this end of the island,” she told the Observer.

She said while the art scene in the western end of the country may not be as vibrant as it is in Kingston, there are talented individuals outside of the capital city. That is one of the reasons the Due West exhibit is deemed so important.

“In my experience, there have not been many platforms in western Jamaica. There have been art fairs, art events that have given artists platforms in which to showcase their works; but not as intensive as National Gallery West,” Gilpin noted.

“So when the opportunity came around for the inaugural Due West, a lot of people were excited to submit their works,” she revealed.

The deadline for submissions that will be displayed in the third exhibition is January 31, 2025 and organisers are hoping there will be strong interest.

“The first one we really got a great reception but as with anything that is just starting, we had our issues and our setbacks. I think it was just a way in which to introduce the exhibition and have people familiarise themselves with the exhibition and what it’s about and what it caters to and the notion of the exhibition,” said Gilpin.

“We hope that we do get a good turnout because we want to see what is happening with our artists. It’s not just professional artists, there are also amateur artists who are just starting; it is open to both groups,” she stated.

Exhibitors must be 18 years and older.

As with previous events, the Due West exhibit will be staged at Montego Bay Cultural Centre in the heart of the city. According to the centre’s Operations Manager Janel Jones, support for previous exhibitions has been good when tours are conducted.

“Persons are very intrigued when they see the art pieces. I believe that this is something that encourages them to fuel their passion,” she stated.

“A lot of artists have the work but they just haven’t gotten a chance to showcase it. This would be a great opportunity for them to showcase their work and their talent,” Jones continued.

Gilpin, who also spoke of the way previous exhibits have benefitted from tours of the centre, is hoping individuals in the west who visit — especially students —will become more involved in the arts through National Gallery West’s Gallery’s Art Supplies initiative.

“We actually created an initiative that supports the arts where our youngsters are concerned. We engage them in a question and answer series at the end of each tour where they get the opportunity, once they get the answers correct, to be rewarded with art supplies,” she explained.

“Sometimes there is not enough funding to provide certain things, materials, paints, etc. They teachers are also overwhelmed, classrooms are overwhelmed but where we can step in and do our part, we will do it,” she promised.