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Closures for the month of August

iad@alumni.uwi.edu — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 23:50:30 +0000

Happy Emancipation Day!!!

As part of the holiday season, The ��ɬ�� Museum will be closed to the public from Tuesday, August 1, 2023 to Friday August 11, 2023. The museum will re-open on Monday August 14, 2023 to the public from the hours 10 am to 4 pm, however no formal tours will be available.

We you a safe and restful Emancipation and Independence holiday.

Closures for the month of August

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Celebrating International Museums Day

iad@alumni.uwi.edu — Fri, 19 May 2023 16:27:01 +0000

The ��ɬ�� Museum celebrated International Museums Day on Thursday May 18, 2023 under the theme Museums, Sustainability and Well-being.

Defined as not for profit institutions, museums are permanent organisations that operate in service of its community through collecting, preserving, exhibiting and education programming. The ��ɬ�� Museum exhibition Surviving COVID-19: Reflections and a Photographic Journey documents the impact of a traumatic contemproary moment on not only the institution’s programming but its stakeholders and the wider community. An exhibit that preserves institutional memory, we provided space for feedback from our community through our COVID word wall. Visitors used simple but profound words and phrases to describe their COVID-19 experience.

However, the In Memorium Wall did receive a similar response as it reminded many of persons family and community members lost during the pandemic and the ways in which prevention measures fundamentally altered grieving practices. Recognizing that the exhibition was potentially triggering for those who suffered significant emotional, financial and social hardships, we provided a quiet space for our visitor’s to reflect, and to have a private moment to themselves.

Museums have a responsibility to think ethicially about the ways in which exhibition programmes and themes affect their stakeholders and devise simple but informed strategies where possible to mediate impact. As practitioners we are also required to think about the well-being of our stakeholders. How does the language employed in an exhibition enhance or detract from a visitors experience? Are our exhibition spaces accessible to all members of the public regardless of ability? While it is not possible to please and cater to all members, it is important to be aware of the ways in which we do not cater to our stakeholders. This awareness is integral to shaping how museums evolve (bearing in mind limited resources and mandate) to engage their communities. Consequently the relationship between the museum staff and museum stakeholders is one of exchange both through the creation and production of knowledge. One should never exist without the other.

Reflection Space within Surviving Covid-19

Therefore, in honour of International Museums Day, the ��ɬ�� Museum team continues to document, collect and exhibit The ��ɬ��’s history and continued relevance to the region and the global community while developing a sustainable practice that continues to support the wellbeing of our stakeholders.

Happy International Museums Day!

Celebrating International Museums Day

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Rendezvous with History and Geology

iad@alumni.uwi.edu — Fri, 12 May 2023 21:34:17 +0000

Guest Post by Christina Boyd (CARIMAC Intern)

Recently, as an intern at ��ɬ�� Museum, I had the opportunity to assist in cleaning and scanning lantern slides. These photographic slides, a technology that dates to the late 19th century, belong to the Geology Museum (Mona Campus) and are cleaned and scanned for conservation. The collection contained photographic images of mostly landscapes, statues and inscriptions of the Caribbean and Polynesia. Retired Professor Teddy Robinson, who taught in the Geology department from its inception, posited in response to our query that the slides are possibly from the collection of the geologist and lecturer in the department of Geography and Geology, Dr. Chubb. Having the privilege to see and touch artefacts that are tenfold the years you have been alive is holistically awesome. Can you imagine the joy, fascination, excitement and nerves that flooded my body?

Christina going through the process of cleaning the slides

Albeit, the process was slow and meticulous; I was conscious that I was dealing with precious cargo and no amount of money could replace them. Furthermore, damaging any of them is one burden I could not bear. It was fascinating to see the images as I cleaned them, which in turn evoked several questions. How were the images developed in the form of lantern slides? Who thought of this? It reminded me of the film used in minolta cameras, explicit evidence of the evolution of technologies.

A pair of lantern slides that were documented

Scanning the lanterns was even more fascinating, I no longer had to squint or hold the lanterns to a primary source of light to get a clear picture. It was interesting to think that these little pieces of glass had played such an important role in shaping the way people thought about the world around them. The meticulous care and slow pace was worth it to see the images come to life on our computer screen.

Photograph of the 1907 calendar

Perhaps the most exciting part of the experience was when we stumbled upon a sheet from a calendar dated February 1907. Remember that joy, fascination and nerves I mentioned before? At that moment, those emotions went through the roof. The delicacy of this calendar sheet gave me a sense of pride as finding such an artefact was not foreseen. At a closer look, we realised that this calendar was used to jot general descriptions of the lantern slides, presumably by the primary owner.

Photograph of the back of the calendar with the description of the slides

This rendezvous with the past is one that I will always cherish; it served as a reminder of the importance of preserving our past and the significance that historical artefacts hold.

Slide documenting Devil’s Bridge and Indian Town in Indian Town in Antigua, B.W.I

Rendezvous with History and Geology

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WORLD WAR II CAMPS IN JAMAICA???

iad@alumni.uwi.edu — Thu, 04 May 2023 14:45:02 +0000

by Suzanne Francis-Brown

I was fascinated the first time I heard of Gibraltar Camp, a British Colonial Office facility established as a haven for civilian evacuees from the British Mediterranean fortress of Gibraltar, during World War II. Mostly women and children were housed in wooden barracks buildings across acres of former sugar land at Mona, on the outskirts of Kingston. Later, Jewish and other wartime refugees also lived there, on a lower level.

For my PhD thesis, at the ��ɬ�� Mona, where a few weather-beaten buildings remain, I contextualized Gibraltar Camp in the local time and place, and realized that there were also three other wartime camps – this time for persons of German, Austrian and Italian origin, who had been interned in military camps. Indeed, the third of these internment camps was located at the far northern end of Gibraltar Camp.

All these strands now inform World War II Camps in Jamaica: Evacuees, Refugees, Internees, Prisoners of War, which has been published by the ��ɬ�� Press and which is being launched on the anniversary of V-E Day, the end of the war in Europe on May 8, 1945. I also ponder the absence of this story from Jamaica’s history and heritage.

Join me live via the ��ɬ�� Museum’s Facebook page for the book launch. If you are interested in getting a copy of the book, it is available for purchase at both ��ɬ�� Press and Amazon via this link: https://www.uwipress.com/9789766409258/world-war-ii-camps-in-jamaica/.

WORLD WAR II CAMPS IN JAMAICA???

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Farewell Harry

iad@alumni.uwi.edu — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 17:06:21 +0000

“Sad to say I’m on my way

Won’t be back for many a day

My heart is down

My head is turning around

I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town” (“Jamaica Farewell” by Harry Belafonte)

As Harry bid his farewell on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at the age of 96. He did not just “leave a little girl in Kingston town,” but rather, he left behind many faces with smiles turned upside down.

Harry Belafonte greets ��ɬ�� Mona Campus PRO, Carroll Edwards

Harry Belafonte’s legacy extends far beyond his contributions to the arts. A tireless advocate for civil rights, human rights, and social justice, he used his fame to bring attention to these issues throughout his life. He joined the fight against racial inequality by participating in anti-apartheid demonstrations and dedicating an entire album, “Paradise in Gazankulu,” in 1988 to the struggles of Africans living in South Africa during apartheid. As a staunch supporter of the Civil Rights Movement and ally of Martin Luther King Jr., he also raised funds to free MLK and other freedom fighters who got arrested for their activism in 1963.

Belafonte’s contribution to the advancement of social justice in the Caribbean must not be forgotten. Through songs like “Banana Boat (Day-O),” which became an anthem for Caribbean dockworkers and highlighted the exploitation of workers in the banana industry, Belafonte advocated for social justice and brought awareness to under-reported issues in society.

In acknowledgement of his priceless contributions to arts and culture, as well as his fight against the socio-political issues affecting members of the African community, ��ɬ��, Mona, awarded Belafonte an honorary LLD degree in 1996. This award was particularly meaningful to him because of his strong ties to the country and his humble beginnings. Despite a limited formal education, Belafonte rose to become one of the most celebrated performers of his time, using his platform to advocate for equality and the upliftment of members and descendants of the African community and other groups.

Harry Belafonte has left an indelible mark on our society, serving as an exemplary figure for artists and activists across generations. His legacy and spirit will never be forgotten.

Farewell Harry

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Children Surviving COVID-19

iad@alumni.uwi.edu — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 20:33:33 +0000

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every aspect of our lives, and its impact on children and youths cannot be overlooked. The feedback provided by some elementary level students who recently visited the “Surviving COVID-19: A Reflection and Photographic Journey” exhibition attests to this fact. Their responses paint a picture of sadness, loneliness, depression, and loss.

One of the most common themes in the students’ feedback is the feeling of isolation and loneliness. Prevention measures forced many children to stay at home, limiting their social interactions with peers and friends. Online classes and limited physical activities exacerbated these feelings. The lack of socialization has also affected their mental health, leading to feelings of depression and sadness.

Another significant impact of COVID-19 on children and youths is the loss of loved ones. Several students mentioned losing friends and family members during the pandemic, which has undoubtedly affected them emotionally. The fear of losing more loved ones has also caused anxiety and stress.

The pandemic has also highlighted existing inequalities in society. Some students mentioned the financial impact of the pandemic on families, with parents losing jobs or not making enough money.

In its entirety, the impact of COVID-19 on children and youths is significant and extensive. The experiences shared by these youngsters show the emotional toll of the pandemic on young people. As we continue to navigate the impact of COVID-19, it is important to provide children and youth with the support and resources to recover from the challenges experienced during the acute phases of the pandemic.

Children Surviving COVID-19

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Invitation for Applications for Museum Rental

iad@alumni.uwi.edu — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 21:55:17 +0000

Since 1948, The ��ɬ�� has provided support to regional artists. Art is the lens through which Caribbean society has been made legible, contested, and negotiated. Caribbean artists in the 21st century continue to do this work by incorporating both innovative and older technologies such as artificial intelligence and printmaking. Under the leadership of then Vice Chancellor, Sir Phillip Sherlock, who was also former Secretary for the Institute of Jamaica in the 1930s, the institution actively facilitated exhibitions for young and upcoming artists such as Gloria Escoffery through the now defunct Creative Arts Fund in the 1960s. Sir Sherlock envisioned the University as a space to foster creative imagination, especially among students, thus founding the Creative Arts Centre on the Mona Campus, later renamed under Vice Chancellor Rex Nettleford as the Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts. Throughout all The ��ɬ�� campuses, art – through multiple mediums and disciplines – continues to be collected and integrated into the daily life of the campus, in the classroom, and upon its landscapes, marking memory, change, and the passage of time.

Artists, however, need safe spaces to exhibit their work and the ��ɬ�� Museum plant provides a unique and secure location for the exhibition of works of art. For more information, please visit our website at https://uwi.edu/museum/museum-rental.

In a secure environment with access to secure parking, artists will have access to 500 square feet of exhibition space to install an exhibit. Proposed exhibitions can be in place for a minimum of one (1) month to a maximum of 3 months. We expect artists to host an ‘artist talk’ as a component of their programming. The fees include security, assistance with installation, electricity and advertising on the museum’s social media pages and campus messaging. The fees are as follows:

Rental fees:

1 month: $45,000

2 months: $70,000

3 months: $105,000

Proposed exhibitions will be incorporated into the museum schedule for the academic year. We are accepting submissions on a rolling basis.

Invitation for Applications for Museum Rental

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Surviving COVID-19: Visitors’ Words

iad@alumni.uwi.edu — Wed, 18 Jan 2023 21:26:11 +0000

Museums and the exhibitions they host offer an avenue for reflecting and connecting with elements of the past. However, it is often the interactive sections of the exhibitions that really stimulate thought and reflection. This is evident in the “Surviving COVID-19” exhibition where visitors often grow emotional in their recollection of the pandemic. Upon reaching the “Share your COVID-19 Experience…” wall and informing the tour party of the purpose of this section we often see a variety of expressions dance across the visitor’s faces, hear sighs or sometimes nervous laughter as they delve into recalling their experiences and contemplate the ideal word that is representative of that time. We compiled those words into a word cloud so you can get a sense of our visitors’ experiences. Please feel free to share any words that stand out to you while viewing.

The “Surviving COVID-19: Reflections and a Photographic Journey” exhibition was opened October 3, 2022 and was scheduled to close on December 2022. However, given the positive feedback and the demand for access to the exhibition we have pushed back the closing date to April 28, 2023. We are looking forward to seeing you before the exhibition closes.

Surviving COVID-19: Visitors’ Words

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��ɬ�� 75th: Rooted Ready and Rising

iad@alumni.uwi.edu — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 21:32:10 +0000

Happy New Year! 2023 marks the diamond jubilee (75th anniversary) of ��ɬ��. Several events and activities have been scheduled to commemorate this momentous occasion. On January 6, 2023, the ��ɬ�� kickstarted the calendar of events with the press launch at the ��ɬ�� Museum. During this ceremony, January 7, 2023, was declared ��ɬ�� day, commemorating the anniversary of the first meeting of the Provisional Council held on January 7, 1947.

In the first meeting of the Provisional Council members agreed on the core components of the running of the institution. This included discussions about the royal charter, legislation for the departments of medicine and agriculture, the appointment of Philip Sherlock as the Director of Extra Mural Department and most importantly the site of the University Campus. Described as the area southeast of the Mona Reservoir and Mona Conduit embracing all of Gibraltar Camp, the site was one of seven potential locations including the Constant Spring area, Red Hills above Marverley Race Course, Stony Hill, lands west, north and east of Hope Botanical Gardens. Over the next 2 days, the provisional council reviewed the design of university buildings, armorial bearings and salaries for incoming staff. These decisions set the foundation for an institution that has transformed the region by responsive and significant interventions, through research and teaching, in areas such as public health, teaching, geology and climate change.

At the core of its development is The ��ɬ��’s commitment to equitable access to education. According to the University’s 1972 Royal Charter, The ��ɬ�� does not discriminate against gender, race, religion and political affiliation of its community. Consequently, interfaith services are an integral to this commitment. On January 8, 2023 the Interfaith Convocation Service continued this tradition of recognizing the diverse religious practices that flourish in the Caribbean.

We look forward to seeing you at the events. Use the link provided to access more information on the ��ɬ�� 75th calendar of events.

��ɬ�� 75th: Rooted Ready and Rising

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Seasons Greetings from ��ɬ�� Museum

iad@alumni.uwi.edu — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 21:15:22 +0000

Seasons Greetings from ��ɬ�� Museum

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Alumni Online Community - Uncategorized

Closures for the month of August

Celebrating International Museums Day

Rendezvous with History and Geology

WORLD WAR II CAMPS IN JAMAICA???

Farewell Harry

Children Surviving COVID-19

Invitation for Applications for Museum Rental

Surviving COVID-19: Visitors’ Words

����ɬ�� 75th: Rooted Ready and Rising

Seasons Greetings from ����ɬ�� Museum

��ɬ�� 75th: Rooted Ready and Rising

Seasons Greetings from ��ɬ�� Museum