The National Gallery of Jamaica has announced that its upcoming exhibition, World-A-Reggae: the 100 Best Entries from the First International Reggae Poster Contest, will open to the public on Sunday, September 30, at 11:00 a.m.

Founded and organised by the Jamaican, US-based poster artist Michael Thompson and the Greek poster artist Maria Papaefstathiou, the First International Reggae Poster Contest was launched in December 2011 under the theme ‘Towards a Reggae Hall of Fame: Celebrating Great Jamaican Music’, stated Dr Veerle Poupeye, executive director of the National Gallery.

“The call for submissions was circulated globally and, by the deadline in April 2012, there was a total of 1,142 entries by 678 designers from 80 countries on themes inspired by, and in tribute to, Jamaican music,” Thompson said.

Papaefstathiou believes that the enthusiastic response to the First International Reggae Poster Contest illustrates the global reach and influence of Jamaican culture. “It was arguably one of the most eloquent cultural tributes Jamaica could have received on the occasion of Jamaica 50,” said Papaefstathiou.

The World-A-Reggae exhibition, in keeping with the spirit of the contest, will allow viewers to reflect on the visual culture of reggae and the manner in which it has been interpreted in different parts of the world, Poupeye said.

Professor Carolyn Cooper will be the guest speaker at the opening. Also in attendance will be Alon Braier, the competition’s first winner, and organisers Michael Thompson and Maria Papaefstathiou.

Braier’s visit to Jamaica is generously funded by the Israeli government. The Alpha Boys’ Band will perform at the function. The exhibition will be accompanied by an education programme, which will be announced separately. After the closure of the exhibition, the organisers will auction the posters to benefit the Alpha Boys’ School, in tribute to the school’s role in the development of Jamaican music.

The National Gallery will be open until 4 p.m. on September 30.

More information about the International Reggae Poster contest can be found at http://www.reggaepostercontest.com.

For the original report go to http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120921/ent/ent3.html

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