Liguanea, festival of the arts, indeed

Marcia Rowe, Gleaner WriterWhen June Wong's husband, Tony, spoke of plans to showcase his photographs, she suggested using the veranda of their place of business in the Liguanea Plaza. Ten years later, what began as a small festival has blossomed and grown into the popular Liguanea Art Festival.
"I think Jamaican people are a lot more into art now that we are exposing it to the average person … now that they get to meet the artist and actually see the works and participate in the workshop," a proud Wong told The Gleaner.
A ninth-grade student, Christina Ivey, who resides in the area, concurred. She described the festival as her favourite event and looks forward to it every year. This fascination with the festival was initiated by sitting in a clay workshop. When she was introduced to clay at her high school, she was more receptive.
Like young Ivey, on Sunday, many turned out for the staging of festival number 1-0.
Against a backdrop of colourful sponsors' banners, the converted car park of the plaza became a busy thoroughfare, progressively swelling into a sea of shoppers and onlookers.
And they had a lot to feast on, from a small delicate piece of jewellery to a large sculpture, to getting their portraits drawn.
But while the main reason for the festival was to highlight the multi-discipline visual arts, the performing and culinary arts provided a lovely balance.
In the culinary department, patrons had the opportunity to choose from sampling snack packs to purchasing hot meals and a wide variety of pastries. But on a warm day, the snow-cone machine was one of the more popular stops.
Not to be outdone, the performing arts was well represented. Among the performers were the Aquaba Drummers, who entertained with some steady African beats at two-hour intervals and Richard Atkinson with his puppets, Skelisha, and Clownie. The dancing of the two puppets, especially Skelisha, had the audience screaming with delight.
The Jamaican Folk Singers were also on hand. They greeted the audience with Dis Long Time Gal and gave a dramatic rendition of Wid Di Sweepstake.
Additionally, the Olive Lewin-founded group, had the crowd singing to Mango Time and Nobody's Business.
Energetic performance
However, few will forget the International Youth Fellowship Dancers, especially their energetic performance of South Korean phenomena Psy's Gangnam Style.
From the singer's use of sunglasses to his three popular dance moves, the group was accurate in its portrayal.
But that was act number three, as the group began its programme with an African dance (while wearing Jamaican colours of black green and gold) titled Pitta-Patta.
On the dancers' second appearance to the converted stage, this time in full white; it was to perform a creatively choreographed dance, using tae kwon do.
The day was also marked by the playing of recorded music and giveaways.
The festival has yet again afforded artists the opportunity to showcase their talent.
"Many of them [artists] do not have a storefront. They can't afford a storefront, so they really look forward to this one day. They are able to sell their art on the day and they become a part of a catalogue so that well beyond the day people know how to find them," said Sheryl Chung, the event's organiser.