|
The College of The Bahamas :: Oakes Field :: P.O. Box N-4912 :: Nassau, The Bahamas
|
Explosion of Talent at 22nd Annual Colour of Harmony
8 April 2011
The skillfully played strains of classical, jazz and Negro spiritual music filled the Performing Arts Centre on Thursday, April 7th, stirring the crowd to respond in head bobbing and foot tapping appreciation. Those who strutted through the gallery spaces just outside the centre, were captivated by the striking artwork. It was the 22nd Annual Colour of Harmony, a signature event of The College of The Bahamas' School of Communication and Creative Arts.
In the spotlight, like in years past, was the outstanding talent of students in the School's Visual and Performing Arts Department, the kind of quality performances that captivated the crowd of music and art enthusiasts who attended.
Exceptional musical performances included the student flutist trio, Shavincia Thomas, Rashad Cunningham and Michelle Clare; piano player, Calvin Parker; double bass player Selah Poitier; soprano singer Lavanda Brown; The College of The Bahamas Concert Choir and The College of The Bahamas Concert Band.
As is the tradition at the Colour of Harmony, this year's E. Clement Bethel Award for Excellence in the Arts - given annually to an outstanding Bahamian artist - was presented to Mr. Roderick Pinder, an acclaimed wood turner and native of Spanish Wells. In 1991, The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce commissioned Mr. Pinder to make an urn of native hardwood for each landfall of Christopher Columbus. The following year, he turned the Urn of Guanahani, which was filled with sand from the beach of San Salvador. The urn now rests in the tomb of Columbus in Santo Domingo.
In accepting the award, Mr. Pinder lauded the efforts of Bahamian composer, pianist and choral director, the late Mr. E. Clement Bethel.
"I remember a time when 'made in The Bahamas' was something that evoked little or no positive interest in our country. Along with others E. Clement Bethel not only climbed to the top of his own chosen field but made it possible that the obscurity in the area of Bahamian arts and crafts would be forever removed," he said.
Mr. Pinder was also appreciative of the encouragement that he received from Dr. Keva Bethel, a lover of the arts who after her husband's passing worked to keep his legacy alive.
"I've had the honour of knowing Dr. Keva Bethel and their family. I remember one of our first meetings at an exhibition of Bahamian arts and crafts here on the grounds of The College of The Bahamas and after viewing my work, Dr. Bethel asked, characteristically, if I was teaching my craft to others. She thought if it was worth doing, it was worth sharing with the broader Bahamian community, a principle she lived by, as you here know so well," he shared.
A signature event of The College, the Colour of Harmony has become both a celebration of artistic talent and a means of preserving the arts. This year, among the guests were members of academia from overseas colleges and universities who had attended the Investiture of Dr. Betsy V. Boze as President of The College of The Bahamas. They too were impressed with the level of skill exhibited by the students.
The student artwork in the gallery spaces of The College's Performing Arts Centre will be on display until Thursday, April 14th, 2011.
Assistant Art Professor, John Cox, said this year's exhibition reflects the students' highest quality work produced over the course of the year.
Office of Communication
Tel: 302-4304
Email:communication@cob.edu.bs
|
|
The College of The Bahamas
|