The women of Woman Inc, from left: Joni-Gaye Cawley, vice-president, Immediate Past-President Joyce Hewitt, and President Valerie Moodie. - Photos by Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer
As a precursor to the return of their annual fair trade and expo, which ends today, Woman Inc hosted, 'Woman in art - celebrate life', at the Gallery Pegasus on Thursday.
It was an exciting gathering of supporters of the work of Woman Inc and art lovers. From pastel on paper, to acrylic on canvas, to oil to mixed medium, the forms and styles were as varied as the subjects. From illustrating the vibrancy of tropical flowers, to popular Jamaican scene, to the glorification of the female form, the pieces were admired and bid on silently as everyone tried to own a piece of work by Jamaica's great female artists.
One of the pieces up for bid was done by Lady Hall, wife of Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall. It was an acrylic on canvas piece titled, 'West Gate Kings House'. Others included in the bid were two pieces by Samere Tansley's, 'Lady in white' and 'Roses in a tea cup'.
Life and death
Mexican Ambassador Leonora Rueda (left) enjoys the art and company of Salma Aitcheson (centre) and president of Woman Inc, Valerie Moodie, at the organisation's 'Woman in art - celebrate life' at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel last Thursday.
Special guest and guest speaker was Mexican Ambassador Leonora Rueda. She congratulated Woman Inc for the wonderful work they were doing, at times representing the difference between life and death in the lives of women who are victims of various forms of abuse. She noted that as a woman (no matter race or colour), she can be sympathetic to the aims and objectives of Woman Inc.
She assured the organisation that, as a diplomat, she would put all her efforts into helping them achieve their aims and objectives. She also promised to have Mexican female artists at Woman Inc's next fund-raiser, as abuse of women was an international crisis.
Sharon Palmer (left) and Doris Lebien (centre) greet artist and Woman Inc member Patsy Mair.