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HISTORY
DONALD
TECHNICAL
Belva Johnson was born in
Falmouth, Trelawny on October 27, 1949. Early interest in Art was satisfied
by attendance at Saturday classes at the Junior Library supervised by
Gloria Escoffery, well--known Jamaican Painter. Belva attended Westwood
High a boarding school for girls where she again came in contact with Miss Escoffery who was her ArtTeacher.
After High School she worked with the Jamaica Library
Service during
which time she attended evening classes in drawing and pottery.
She later attended the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing
Arts choosing Pottery as her major under the instruction of Cecil Baugh
and where she was elected President of the Student's Council in 1972.
In 1973 she graduated with a Diploma with Honors in Ceramics. A
year of post graduate studies followed at the end of which she mounted
her first solo exhibition "Ceramics and Textiles".
Belva
is a lover of nature. In her collection of plants are ordinary as well as
exotic specimens. Her other main interests apart from Church activities
are reading and playing scrabble.
Two years as Art Teacher at Excelsior High School
preceded the move to Clonmel, St. Mary with her husband
Donald
where they set up The Clonmel Potters studio. Exhibitions of note include
a touring exhibition of Jamaican Art to the USA 1974, Caribbean Women
Artists 1975, a second solo exhibition at the Mutual Life Gallery 1991
as well as many joint shows with Donald as The Clonmel Potters including
"The Clonmel Potters in New York" 1995. Her work was selected for presentation
to the President of Colombia at his inauguration in 1982 on behalf of
the people of Jamaica. The work of the Clonmel Potters is represented
in collections around the world.
Belva has served as an External Examiner of the
Edna Manley School of Visual Arts, member of the Curriculum Advisory
Committee and
President of the Jamaica Potters Association. Awards include
the Bronze Musgrave Medal from the Institute of Jamaica in the Field
of Art 1994 and the Jamaica Society of Scientists and Technologists Award
to the Clonmel Potters for "Innovation and Creativity in Science and
Technology"1989. Bronze and Silver Medals in the Jamaica Festival of Arts
Competition 1974.
President of the Jamaica Potters Association. Awards include
the Bronze Musgrave Medal from the Institute of Jamaica in the Field
of Art 1994 and the Jamaica Society of Scientists and Technologists Award
to the Clonmel Potters for "Innovation and Creativity in Science and
Technology"1989. Bronze and Silver Medals in the Jamaica Festival of Arts
Competition 1974.
