Jade Rookwood arranges her display of old-time Jamaican household items.

It's no doubt that some students of Kingsway Preparatory and Kindergarten are on their way to a career in art and craft, evident in portraits of important citizens at the school's Jamaica Day celebration on Tuesday last week.

Among the images on exhibition were pictures of past and present prime ministers, and sports personalities such as Courtney Walsh.

The celebration was held under the theme, 'Celebrating our Achievers, Realising Our Potential', with bandanna and colours from the Jamaican flag being the order of the day.

Seven-year-old Dellan Franklin, who constructed a Michael Manley effigy from cardboard, said it was fun because he loves art.

"It wasn't difficult to do because I love making things and then painting them," the toddler stated.

Also on exhibition were items used in 'old-time' Jamaica such as calabash and a coconut floor brush.

Little Jade Rookwood was the organiser of this corner.

"I went to the country and got these things from my grandmother to set up my corner displaying Jamaica Day," Rookwood explained.

"These are the things that were used by older generations, but now we change to better things," the seven-year-old said while displaying her exhibit to The Gleaner.

Cultural items

The audience, which comprised a few parents, was entertained by cultural items, as well as mimicry of popular personalities in a modelling segment.

Neisha Murray, the coordinator, said the event was designed as an educational platform.

"Over the years, we have been highlighting the national heroes and leaving out other important persons such as the different prime ministers who served the country, so we used this event to highlight them to the children," she said.

nadisha.hunter@gleanerjm.com

(From left) Lea-Ann Samuels, Tiana Darien and Kelish Polack view a display during Jamaica Day at Kingsway Prep in St Andrew last Tuesday. - Photos by Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer