ArtWalk Sundays returns to downtown Kingston

Continuing the mission of turning downtown Kingston into the nation's art district, Kingston Creative is relaunching its ArtWalk Sundays.

Last Sunday, the non-profit organisation gathered both artisans and art lovers on Water Lane to indulge in a dance themed blend of Jamaican culture for the first time this year.

"The pandemic happened and then things slowed down. But now that we're back, we plan to get things back going with different themes for this year. So each month we carry a different theme. That's not to say that the programme is strict to the theme, but we're just trying to zone in on some areas that we believe are very important to the creative space. And that is the aim for this year, to just ensure that we're touching each facet of what a creative is," explained Christina Collman, event producer for Kingston Creative.

Sunday's staging saw scores of patrons pouring onto the brick-paved walkways of Water Lane. Flanked by murals commisioned by a number of different stakeholders, patrons were seranded by the sounds of both live music as well as reggae and dancehall hits from a mobile sound booth parked along the lane. Food truck and culinary atrisans also made a space for themselves. Indulging in all offerings, patrons ended the day with a feast of performances including from local dance troupe Immortal Active Dancers who got up close and personal with the crowd.

Collman explained that that performance was not the only item to follow the theme. Collman said, "So a lot of the performances, there's a lot of Zumba-ing, there's kiddies dance class and of course we mix it with a little bit of music because you know dance is nothing without music."

Carrying her sleeping toddler, first-time patron and art lover Carrie Perrier told THE STAR that she has always been curious about Water Lane but only passed by and caught glimpses.

"So to come down here and see seh there's so many different kinds of art, it's really interesting, and then the different vendors. If me never come down here and see it, mi wouldn't know bout them," she said. Referring to her little one Ziyah, who laid comfortably on her shoulder, Perrier said, "It's a kid-friendly environment so why not carry your child? She needs to enjoy Jamaica's atmosphere as much as I do."

"Take a walk, nobody nah do anything to you. There's a lot of people around and security, so you wouldn't have to really worry about getting hurt or [things] stolen or any other bad thing that we have heard about down here."

Echoing his friend's sentiments, Shaquil Bagaloo said, "No matter where you go, just be conscious of your surroundings. There will be people that will try stuff, no matter if you're uptown, downtown, inna the sea, wherever. Just be cautious."