Denise Reid, Gleaner Writer

Taking photos since the tender age of eight, gaining multiple degrees in literature, organising art showings and getting involved in art projects for community benefit are all indicators of Louisa Callio-Fray's natural disposition for the arts.

In 1978, Callio-Fray organised her first multimedia showing, which featured the work of several painters, jazz musicians and her poetry. The showings took place in Connecticut and Philadelphia in the United States of America.

Last year, Callio-Fray organised A Passion for Africa, a showing based on her journey to east and west Africa during the 1970s. On the opening night of the exhibition, she recited a poem, titled 'Journey to the Heart Waters', which was inspired by her trip to Africa.

That exhibition featured works from Cecil Ward and Robin Farquharson. She explains that each artist had pieces from different parts of Africa.

"The response was very good, and that inspired me to do the Passion for Jamaica showing," she relates.

In the recently concluded art showing, A Passion for Jamaica, held at the Round Hill Hotel, in Hanover, Callio-Fray exposed a side of Jamaica many have either forgotten or never seen.

The multimedia exhibition featured photography from Callio-Fray, Volney Fray and award-winning photographer Robin Farquharson. A creative dimension to the visual show included music that was showcased on the opening night, as well as a recital of poetry written by Callio-Fray, who is a writer by profession.

Included in her recital were the title poem for the showing, 'A Passion for Jamaica' as well as 'But I Say de Woman Is Smarter', which was featured in the Canadian journal, Women and Water.

Wonderful portraits

Callio-Fray has been photographing Jamaica since her first visit to the island in the mid 1960s. She says some of her favourite things to photograph are portraits. "The way you just catch them when they're not aware of themselves and you just get a feeling of their deeper selves is so soulful," Callio-Fray comments. She also likes to photograph nature.

Her images of the sea, land and people were moments of beauty and radiance, which she captured on each visit to Jamaica until she moved here to be with her husband Volney Fray, Montego Bay businessman. These photographs were featured at the recent showing.

Callio-Fray explains that with the advent of the computer, she was able to use various applications to enhance the quality of her work. "You can use Adobe or Paperport. You take an original and you can change it and make it become soft or change the colour. You're not actually limited to what you see," she states.

Volney Fray's photos of 'Old Jamaica', which included the Queen's first visit to the island in 1953, the first yacht club on Fort Street in Montego Bay, Pocomania and other historical events, were showcased in the exhibition along with the work of Robin Farquharson, for whom the exhibition was a chance to share 30 years of his life's work.

Satisfaction received

Callio-Fray speaks with satisfaction about he response the showing received, "People really loved it. They hadn't got a chance to see the old Jamaica at all, and it was a chance for them to see a side they never knew existed."

She hopes to have another group showing - titled 'A Passion for Jamaica' - at the Tryall Club in November.

She adds, "The world is changing so quickly, we have to catch the moments and express them. We love the beauty of Jamaica and we try to keep expressing it as it changes."