S.H.P.S.A.

 


Distinguished Past Student 2005: Allison Sinclair


 

 

Allison Denise Miriam Sinclair

for outstanding achievements as

A CERAMIC ARTIST

 

Allison Denise Miriam Sinclair is the 21st recipient of the Association’s Distinguished Past Student Award.  Allison is being awarded for outstanding achievements as a Ceramic Artist.

 

Allison was first introduced to clay at the age of 4 when her grandmother took her by train to Maggoty, St. Elizabeth, where she saw a man transform a lump into a vase.  This man was Master Potter Cecil Baugh.  This was the planting of a seed which remained dormant until awakened at the Jamaica School of Art, now named the Edna Manley School for the Visual and Performing Arts.

 

Allison Marshalleck attended St. Hugh’s from 1969 – 1975.  At St. Hugh’s she was a Girl Guide and became a patrol leader and company leader.  She was a member of the swim team and was an active participant in the language club. 

 

Allison’s teachers had a profound influence on her because of their personalities, display of love for the students, and love of the subjects they taught. This has greatly influenced the conduct of her own life.  Some she fondly remembers are Mrs. Joy Charles, Miss Olga Marston, Mrs. Barbara McMillan, Miss Dorman, Mrs. Rita Symes and Miss Margaret McIntosh.  Her Principal was Mrs. Inez Carnegie.  Allison’s subjects at 4th form included chemistry, biology, geography, and history.  She wanted to study agronomy, influenced by her father who was involved in farming.  During her 4th form year she visited a friend in art class and observed the class screen-printing.  She was arrested by the activity and fell in love with the environment.  At the end of the year she met with Vice Principal Beryl Baker and convinced her that she was not achieving her full potential and requested a repeat of 4th form and the substitution of art for chemistry.  This was a historical moment for St. Hugh’s as no student had ever requested this.  The request was granted, and Allison was allowed to do art which was to become her life’s love. 

 

Her special friends at St. Hugh’s include Lorraine Magnus, Susan Levy, June Lue Kong, Andrea and Susan Lodge, Ingrid McDonald, Marguerite and Careth Woodstock and Nancy Gracie.

 

Allison successfully completed 5th form and responded to the Jamaica School of Art’s invitation to interview prospective students.  A portfolio was needed for this and being a recent art student, Allison had precious little. The main piece was a hurriedly but well done self-portrait.  To augment her limited portfolio, she took along all her school reports.  She recalls comparing the massive portfolios of the other interviewees.  Interviewer Karl Craig, after reading Allison’s school reports, knew that she was in the right place and there commenced her four years at the Jamaica School of Art where she specialized in ceramics.

 

Allison has worked with her husband David, also a ceramic artist, for over 25 years.  Over the years they have become known for their signature gold finish.  All their pieces are made by hand either on a potter’s wheel or freeform. Though they currently work largely in earthenware both are experienced in working in stoneware. Their work has been exhibited widely in Jamaica, around the Caribbean, the United States, Canada and in Europe, and can be found in private collections all over the world.  In 2002 their company was selected for an International Award for Commercial Prestige, the New Millennium Award created by the Editorial Office (Madrid, Spain), the Trade Leaders Club and the Journal Mercado Mundial.  The Sinclair’s selection for this award was based on information provided by the 15,000 entrepreneur members of the Trade Leaders’ Club, coming from 112 countries.

 

Allison is very involved with the Association of Jamaican Potters.  She serves as a member of the Art and Craft Fair Committee and in the year 2000 received the President’s Award of Recognition for her outstanding service to the Association.  That year, she was elected the Association’s President, a post she held for two years.

 

Since 1999 Allison has been an external examiner for the Ceramic Department at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.   She has also been an active member of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s Fine Arts Committee since 1996 and chairman since 1999. Her responsibilities include planning and conducting seminars and workshops and overseeing the judging and mounting of the annual National Fine Arts Competition and Exhibition.  In 2002 and 2005 she served on the judging panel as well.   The committee was recently renamed the Visual Arts committee and now includes photography.  Allison serves as co-chair.

 

Allison and husband David have five children, including three girls who all went to St. Hugh’s.  Allison is very dedicated to her alma mater and participates in many school activities.  She has graciously assisted the school and the Past Students’ Association with pieces of her work.  

The St. Hugh’s Past Students’ Association is pleased to recognize Allison Denise Miriam Sinclair as the Distinguished Past Student for 2005.

 

 

Awarded this day, September 29, 2005
 

F  I  D  E  L  I  T  A  S

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