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International tourism to reach one billion this year Source Farm hosts US photographers
photos by Paul Williams - From right, stooping: Kateri Likoudis and Daniel De Blassio of the United States pose with the participants in a recently concluded photography workshop at Paul Bogle Vocational Institute and Trade School, in St Thomas, on Wednesday, January 18. .

Source Farm hosts US photographers

Paul H. Williams, Hospitality Jamaica Writer

The Source Farm in Johns Town, St Thomas, is Jamaica's first sustainable ecovillage, operated by Blondel Shirley-Atwater, a returnee, her daughter Nicola Shirley-Phillips, and son Dwight Shirley.

The major philosophy of the project is about living in harmony with members of the community and the environment. Speaking with Hospitality Jamaica, Shirley-Phillips said the Source Farm intends to be "an innovative model community that is dedicated to respecting and restoring Mother Earth".

FOSTER GROWTH

She added, "We will foster personal growth and development and empower our community to be ambassadors of natural and progressive living. The Source Farm will be known for its diverse social and economic opportunities with a mosaic of award-winning cultural, recreational and artistic amenities and services.

With that mandate in mind, recently, Source Farm hosted professional photographers Daniel DeBlassio and Kateri Likoudis from the United States (US), who were here to conduct a two-week workshop in photography with 10 students of Paul Bogle Vocational Institute and Trade School, in Lyssons, St Thomas.

And from all indications, it was a successful venture. "It changed my life," DeBlassio declared. Likewise, his coming here seems to have a major impact on his hosts, who were impressed with the quality of photographs the trainees produced.

Shirley, an interior designer, met DeBlassio when they both worked on a mansion décor project in the US and was impressed with the photographs that he installed in the showhouse. He had always wanted to hold photography workshops at Source Farm in keeping with their plans.

On the project, and having seen DeBlassio's work and attitude, Shirley concluded that "he had the right energy". DeBlassio then invited Likoudis to join him.

On Sunday, January 22, when Hospitality Jamaica once again spoke with Shirley-Phillips at the exhibition mounted in Roktowa Gallery in downtown Kingston to display the trainees' work, she said, "A lot of us at Source Farm are interested in different aspects of art. If it is something that we want to learn how to do, we bring in the best people possible to train us." In commenting on the work mounted, she said, "I am actually very impressed. I like the idea of us reconnecting them to nature."

Blondel Shirley-Atwater, the matriarch, was no less enthusiastic about the outcome of the project, in which she also participated as a trainee. "To me, it's a feeling of satisfaction. I returned to Jamaica mainly for the young men because we have so much raw talent that is not tapped into. I believe they should be shooting with the camera, not with a gun," she said.

It is about letting young people know that there are other opportunities, according to Shirley-Phillips. Source Farm thus intends to provide the youths with the opportunities to sharpen their skills, to bring in different influences and workshops, to facilitate artiste visitations to teach different types of art, to host and give exposure to artists, and to encourage them to give back to the community.