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From the Jamaican Gleaner
October 12, 2000

14 awarded Musgrave medals

FOURTEEN JAMAICAN intellectuals and artistes were yesterday recognised for outstanding performance in the arts, literature and science in the 103rd renewal of the Institute of Jamaica's Musgrave Awards ceremony on East Street in Kingston.

The Musgrave awardees for this year are gold medallists, musician Monty Alexander, The University Singers and artist Barry Watson who were noted for distinguished eminence; silver medallists, film producer Lennie Little-White, educator Vilma McClenan, lecturer Earl McKenzie, artists Petrona Morrison and Hope Thomas-Wheeler and scientist Dale Webber who were cited for outstanding merit.

Bronze medallists were sculptors Lancelot Bryan and John Williamson, musicians Sydney Morris and Lloyd Parkes, librarian Cherrell Shelley-Robinson and storyteller Muriel Whynn who were noted for individual performances of merit. All awards were for work in connection with the West Indies, particularly Jamaica.

It was a grand affair which saw the cordoning off of the section of East Street which spans the Institute of Jamaica, performances by various drummers and marching bands, the Carifolk singers and JCDC gold medallists for speech Trecia Spence. And the awardees loved it.

Barry Watson said that he felt appreciated to be recognised in his own country.

"None of us set out to earn medals," he said, "but we set out with dedication and strove for excellence, most hoped for international appeal and got it. It is even more special that we are being recognised today by our own people, it's a great honour."

Chairman of the Council of the Institute of Jamaica Barry Chevannes said that their (the awardees) performance had renewed our faith in the power of the human spirit to excel. He specially acknowledged stalwarts like Edna Manley, Claude McKay and Louise Bennett-Coverley, all past awardees who have benefited their country tremendously.

"The spirit of self destruction knows no boundaries, respects no quarters, engulfs all of us," he said, "It is sad to have to admit that many of our young talented people are seeking the safer ground particularly in the north." He emphasised that they will make their contribution to the country eventually, but many other Jamaicans like the awardees had engaged in 'a greater spiritual war'.

Every year since 1897, The Institute in keeping with the mandate to promote the development of the arts, literature and science in Jamaica, gives recognition to those workers whose contribution in these areas has been outstanding. The awards were named for the founder of the Institute, Sir Anthony Musgrave.

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