Art fair raises funds for the needy

Regular patrons and members of the Catholic community converged on the St John Bosco Auditorium in Hatfield in Manchester for the 28th annual Roman Catholic Mandeville Art Fair.

Since its inception, the proceeds from the fair have been used to support the church's charities, including Mustard Seed Communities, and one final-year art student at the Enda Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.

Deidre Hudson-Sinclair, a member of the planning committee, told CENTRAL STAR that items on display are donated by artists all over the island, who they call every year to donate pieces of their work to the three-day event.

The funds can be used to help in building homes, feeding the poor, assisting in educating the less fortunate, as well as supporting the John Bosco Boys' Home.

"The committee also seeks sponsors for the event as we are aiming to raise $5 million this year; it could be a challenge, but Jamaicans have always supported us. Donations in time, decoration and tents go a far way to help offset some of the costs of staging the fair," Hudson-Sinclair said.

Zoria Allen was this year's scholarship recipient. Allen is one of the artists who is working on the Kingston mural and she is actively involved in school and community activities.