Celebrating Excellence: EMCVPA Lecturers Win Big at the 2025 Actor Boy Awards
Celebrating Excellence: EMCVPA Lecturers Win Big at the 2025 Actor Boy Awards Celebrating Excellence: EMCVPA Lecturers Win Big at the 2025 Actor Boy Awards The Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts proudly celebrates theoutstanding achievements of two of our very own — Paul Newman and Owen “Blakka”Ellis — who were honoured at the 2025 Actor Boy Awards for their exemplarycontributions to Jamaican theatre. Paul Newman, a lecturer in the School of Dance, took home the award for Best Choreography for Pull Up: Jamaica Land We Love — produced by DMH Productions. Known for his bold artistic vision and tireless commitment to excellence, Paul’s choreography pushed both creative and physical boundaries. His ability to inspire performers, even those new to movement, has become one of his most celebrated strengths. The recognition comes as no surprise to those who have worked with him. As shared by DMH Productions on social media: “Paul’s relentless drive to push boundaries and create magic on stage has truly set him apart… turning every movement into a masterpiece.” This marks his second Actor Boy Award win — a testament to his consistency, influence, and mastery of the stage. Meanwhile, on the School of Drama side, celebrated actor/comedian, director, writerand lecturer Owen “Blakka” Ellis led the musical Buss Big to a Best Musical win at this year’s ceremony, tying with JMTC’s Aladdin. The production, a dynamic exploration of dancehall, culture, and ambition, was met with thunderous applause during its run — affirming Blakka’s sharp storytelling and musical direction. The award follows on the heels of Tick Tock, another powerful School of Drama stage work co-created with fellow lecturer Camille Quamina, which has continued to generate buzz long after closing, tackling themes of gender, power, and identity with honesty and edge. From Buss Big to Tick Tock, his work continues to stir critical conversations — a reflection of both his artistry and his enduring commitment to social commentary through performance. These wins shine a spotlight not only on two stellar creatives, but on the calibre of mentorship and artistic leadership alive at here EMCVPA. We salute Paul Newman and Owen “Blakka” Ellis for continuing to uplift, inspire, and expand the boundaries of Jamaican theatre — on our stages and far beyond. Powerful Scenes from the School of Drama play, ‘Buss Big’ a dancehall musicaland recipient of the ‘Best Musical’ Actor Boy Award this year.
Matthew McCarthy to Design Mural at Norman Manley International Airport
Matthew McCarthy to Design Mural at Norman Manley International Airport Matthew McCarthy to Design Mural at Norman Manley International Airport We are thrilled to celebrate the latest achievement of visual artist and Edna Manley College SVA alumnus, Matthew McCarthy, who has been selected to design a bold new mural for the iconic roundabout letters at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA). This exciting project is a partnership between Kingston Creative and PAC Kingston Airport Limited (PACKAL), operators of NMIA, and invites a uniquely Jamaican perspective to greet travellers as they arrive on the island—it’s especially symbolic as the airport is currently undergoing a five-year development initiative to position it as a first-rate point of travel globally. Out of numerous submissions, Matthew’s concept stood out — a testament to his consistent creative vision and dynamic visual language. Known on Instagram as @eyedealistworldwide, Matthew has been prolific since his days as a student at the College, using art as a vehicle for social commentary, cultural celebration, and visual storytelling through graffiti work around the city of Kingston. This selection comes as no surprise. His work continues to impact public spaces across Jamaica and has also gained recognition internationally. We’re proud to see one of our own transforming the gateway to Kingston with his distinct artistic voice. Congratulations, Matthew — your creativity continues to make a powerful mark on Jamaica’s visual landscape!
Nevrona Campbell Helps Buff Bay High Take Silver in Regional Lifestyle Competition
Nevrona Campbell Helps Buff Bay High Take Silver in Regional Lifestyle Competition Nevrona Campbell Helps Buff Bay High Take Silver in Regional Lifestyle Competition We are proud to highlight the inspiring work of Nevrona Campbell, a graduate of the School of Drama who is now serving as the Drama Teacher at Buff Bay High School, Ms Campbell recently played a key role in her school’s outstanding performance at the North-East Regional Health Authority’s Regional Healthy Lifestyle Competition, held on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Under the guidance of a dedicated team of educators — including Ms Campbell — Buff Bay High’s Theatre Arts Collective secured an impressive 2nd Place finish, earning a Silver Medal and Trophy across Regions 1, 2, and 3. Since joining the school, Ms Campbell has made a significant impact on its cultural landscape, with many praising the waves she’s already making. The group’s achievement stands as a testament to thepower of creative education and the value of strong mentorship. We salute Nevrona Campbell for her continued commitment to youth development and the performing arts. Her success reminds us that the legacy of Edna Manley College (and the School of Drama) lives on in classrooms and communities across Jamaica. Congratulations, Nevrona — your alma mater is very proud!
Vanessa D Riley Brings Hand-Painted Artistry to Tesla’s Cybertruck
Vanessa D Riley Brings Hand-Painted Artistry to Tesla’s Cybertruck Vanessa D Riley Brings Hand-Painted Artistry to Tesla’s Cybertruck From the studios of the School of Visual Arts to the sleek panels of one of the world’s most talked-about vehicles — former student Vanessa D. Riley (aka @painted.lady._) of Painted Lady Studios is turning heads with her stunning hand-painted design for the Tesla Cybertruck, commissioned for a client by Auto Paddock dealership.Vanessa’s artwork brings a refreshing touch of human creativity and precision to the futuristic frame of the Cybertruck, using paint and Sharpie markers to bring her hand-drawn, digitised design to life. Shared by @autopaddock and celebrated across social media, the piece showcases her whimsical, colourful styling and meticulous technique — a striking fusion of fine art and industrial design which she executed with the help ofher team. Check it out in the video below.Though details of upcoming projects remain under wraps, this is clearly just one of many exciting collaborations to come from this spectacular visual artist. Her work continues to redefine how and where art can live — and we definitely love it. Congratulations, Vanessa — we can’t wait to see what you create next!
Homecoming! JaRIA Returns to EDNA for Reggae Month 2025
Homecoming! JaRIA Returns to EDNA for Reggae Month 2025 Homecoming! JaRIA Returns to EDNA for Reggae Month 2025
New Year, New SCEAP Courses for all!
New Year, New SCEAP Courses for all! New Year, New SCEAP Courses for all!
Petrona Morrison
Petrona Morrison was born in Manchester, Jamaica in 1954. She received her initial art training in Canada, at McMaster University, where she graduated in 1976. She left Jamaica again in the mid 1980s for MFA
Inclusion of Dance
Part of the background of the UNESCO Position Paper for the First World Conference on Arts Education in March 2006 states that Art Education—which aims at passing down cultural and artistic heritage to young people, giving them the means to create their own language
Role of Edna
Over the last 30 years, Jamaica has seen the expansion and development in the
visual and performing arts in areas such as visual arts, music, dance, drama and arts
management among other areas being referred to as the creative industries.
Creative Crucible
When Romaine Virgo won the Digicel Rising Stars competition in 2007, his drive to sharpen his craft led him to enroll at the School of Music, Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (EMCVPA).