Anthea McGibbon, Contributor

More than 20 years ago Omal Peter made his way from Uganda to Jamaica to visit his brother. Little did he know that his life would be forever changed and that his long-time passion for the arts was about to be rekindled.

In 1988, Peter settled at the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts (then called the Jamaica School of Art) to begin four years of training in visual communications (formerly graphics). This was among the first tests he had to pass on his way to becoming the accomplished artist and educator he is today.

Today, Peter has two roles at the college. He is a full-time lecturer and designer and is multi-skilled in the areas of interactive media, radio and television. He spends his spare time working on a mini movie production. He works at producing children's interactive learning media using software like Macromedia Director, Adobe Premiere, Flash and other video editing software.

Among the challenges he has faced while being in Jamaica are adapting to a new culture, the new environment and keeping up with his finances. To earn his tuition, and sustain himself, he took up several jobs including one at CGR Communications Limited.

Different challenges

According to him, these challenges were less intimidating, compared to challenges faced back home in Uganda. Owing to pervasive civil unrest, since 1986, most of the nation's schools lost art facilities. This made learning the arts, which requires much material, efficient space and proper financing, very difficult.

Visual art in Uganda, then, became restricted to the printing press. There was no access to art facilities and funding/sponsorship for the development of the art process was basically non-existent.

Commenting on college life, Peter describes the four years to earn a diploma/degree as very tedious and sometimes seemingly unnecessary. However, he is evidently committed to garnering all the education he can.

After leaving Edna Manley College he studied at several locations, including the Ohio State University (three years) and the University of Technology (two years). His intention was to satisfy certification requirements to become more marketable.

In-between colleges, Peter operated Media Concepts, teaching production and interactive media and graphic design from his studio.

Eventually, while operating his own business, he was invited to do graphic design for the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts, which he still does while working as a lecturer.

Balancing teaching and being taught plus family life is one hurdle he must now tackle in order to leap smoothly over to completing his PhD. Thanks to the CHASE Foundation, which recently awarded him sponsorship worth just under one million dollars, the aspirant, who says college life is 'all very stressful and demanding', is now well on his way to attaining his PhD.

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