At a grand awards ceremony hosted at the Institute of Jamaica in Kingston, 21 distinguished Jamaicans in the arts were bestowed with prestigious Musgrave Medals. Notable among the recipients were Miss Olive Lewin, director of art in the Office of the Prime Minister, and Mr Carl Abrahams, a leading Jamaican artist, who were both honoured with the Musgrave Gold. The National Dance Theatre Company received a special lold Medal in recognition of Jamaica's 25th anniversary of Independence. This esteemed recognition celebrates eminence in literature, science, and the arts, particularly those connected with the West Indies, notably Jamaica.

Published Thursday, October 22, 1987

21 receive Musgrave Medals

TWENTY-ONE Jamaicans who have distinguished themselves in the arts received the prestigious Musgrave Medal at an awards ceremony yesterday at the Institute of Jamaica in Kingston.

Topping the list of recipients were Miss Olive Lewin, director of art in the Office of the Prime Minister, and Mr Carl Abrahams, one of Jamaica’s leading artists, who received the Musgrave Gold, while a special gold medal was awarded to the National Dance Theatre Company.

The NDTC received the institute’s special gold medal in recognition of Jamaica’s 25th anniversary of Independence.

The gold medal is awarded for distinguished eminence in literature, science and the arts, in connection with the West Indies, especially Jamaica.

Minister of State for Culture in the Office of Prime Minister, Mike Henry, who was the guest speaker at the presentation function, said that Kingston had great potential as a tourist capital through its promotion as the cultural capital of the Caribbean.

He said that hoteliers should be encouraged to direct visitors to the country’s art galleries and historical buildings.

The Minister of State congratulated the recipients and pointed out that the institute had “jealously guarded the high standards” of one of the country’s oldest and most prestigious awards.

The Chairman of the Council of the institute, the Hon Hector Wynter, also spoke.  He said that care was taken that the integrity of the awards was maintained. He also noted that it was the first time that an award was being presented in the category of floral art.  This was awarded as a bronze medal to Mrs Pearl Wright.

Those who received silver medals were Mr Jack Tyndale-Biscoe, for his work in aerial photography; Major Joe Williams, Director of Music, Jamaica Defence Force; Mrs Leonie Forbes-Harvey, actress and broadcaster; Mr David Pottinger, painter; Mr Milton George, painter; Mrs Dorothy Henriques Wells, for contribution in Art; and Mr Willard White, for outstanding contribution in Music.

The bronze medalists were Miss Adina Henry, for her contribution through Oral Narrative; Miss Lorna Goodison, for her work in Poetry; Mr  Dennis Hall, Mrs Erica Allen and Mr Neville Willoughby, for their contribution in Broadcasting; and Miss Honor Ford-Smith, Artistic Director of Sistren Theatre Collective, for her contribution in Theatre and Literature.

Six-time Festival Son contest winner Mr Eric Donaldson also received a bronze medal for his contribution to popular music.  Bronze medals also were awarded to Mr Cecil Ward for his work in Photography; Mr Roy Reid for his work in Art; and Miss Millicent Clare for her contribution to Library Development.

The Musgrave Medal is awarded by the Institute in recognition of notable contributions to Literature, Science and Art in Jamaica in the West Indies.

The award was founded in 1889 as a memorial to Sir Anthony Musgrave, Governor of Jamaica from 1877 to 1883, who founded the Institute of Jamaica in 1879.

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