The Alpha Institute, the Jamaican centre that helped grow the talents of Johnny Osbourne, Yellowman, and Leroy Smart, received two welcome upgrades to its music program on April 26 and April 27.
The institute celebrates its 141st anniversary on May 1.
On April 26, the Sandals Foundation unveiled “Alpha Ska,” an art installation by local artist Lisa Lindo. The 20-foot “mild steel” piece is based on a design by the late Michael ‘Freestylee’ Thompson.
The Sandals Foundation also sponsored a $2.6-million upgrade to a performance space at the Alpha Institute.
“Alpha Ska” overlooks the performance space, located at the end of a 100-foot Music Walkway.
The Alpha Institute
Mere days away from marking 141 years of existence, the Alpha Institute credited with influencing the development of Ska and Reggae has received a boost for its music program.
On Monday, Sandals Foundation unveiled a 20-foot ‘Alpha Ska’ installation done by local artist Lisa Lindo and based on the late Michael ‘Freestylee’ Thompson’s design. The “mild steel” art installation is overlooking a performance space at the end of a 100-foot Music Walkway a $2.6-million upgrade sponsored by Sandals Foundation.
Sandals Foundation which is the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International said in a statement on Monday that the upgrade also included multi-core audio mixing equipment for live performances and didactic panels that explain Alpha’s role and approach to music education for visitors and students to enjoy.