Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter
It's a group hug for (from left) Dr. David Boxer, Rose Tavares-Finson, her husband Tom, Coleen Phillips and husband Andrew. They were attending a dinner to honour Boxer at Tom Tavares-Finson's Stilwell Road, Stony Hill home on Friday. - PHOTOS BY WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
"YOU ARE the keeper of the flame," said Tom Tavares-Finson to the man who, by then, had heard more good words than are usually in a eulogy.
The man of whom we speak was Dr. David Boxer, chief curator of the National Gallery of Jamaica. It has been 30 years since he took the job at the gallery, and to date, his mark on the Jamaican art scene remains immovable. Like the caveman who, millions of years ago, kept the flame and, by extension, the culture of the tribe going, so has Boxer kept Jamaica's art flame burning.
Dr. Boxer was the guest of honour at a dinner hosted by Tom and Rose Tavares-Finson at their Stilwell Road home; the best place for this occasion as the numerous works of art that hung from the walls must have made Dr. Boxer feel like he was in a branch of the gallery.
GOOD FOOD, MUSIC
Suzanne Couch, probably more popular to the average Jamaican as a musician, showed her culinary skills. The musical duties were performed by the acoustic guitar and soothing voice of Meliset Rodriguez.
Accolades flowed from guests like fine merlot from its bottles. He was credited with bringing the great painters and works to the gallery; all the while giving his all for the good of Jamaican art. Former chairman Aaron Matalon recalled Boxer's undying efforts to erect a 'proper' national gallery. Dr. Boxer was more in the thanking mode as he revelled in the number of friends that, almost literally, surrounded him.
And even though it was his party, Dr. Boxer had a few gifts for the masterminds of the soiree. He presented the Finsons, as well as Andrew and Coleen Phillips, with letters written by the late Edna Manley. Other guests included artist Hope Brooks, Ayesha Creary, Michael Edwards, Anthony Miller, William Tavares-Finson, Guy McIntosh, and Jackie Pearson.
