‘Blazer’ lights up creative arts in SVG

Director of the New Artists’ Movement (NAM) Cecil “Blazer” Williams has been involved in the creative arts for over 40-years, and last Friday at the Peace Memorial Hall, members of NAM in St Vincent and the Grenadines and from the Diaspora honoured their Director for his 34-years of dedicated service to the organisation.{{more}}

Williams was visibly touched as he and his wife Janice sat and watched as the NAM troupe performed scenes from his over 15 plays, four books and countless poems and became teary eyed when the group called him to the stage and presented the veteran with plaques of appreciation.

One of the early members, Ingrid Williams O’Marde, who was the feature speaker at the event reminisced on the director’s undaunted commitment to the arts and described Williams as a humble man who helped to enhance the people he came in contact with.

Obviously touched by the accolades he received from his colleagues, Williams admitted that he had always had a love for the arts and that although he is a lawyer by profession, his first love has always been the arts.

Williams pointed out that the arts was a medium that would keep youths positively engaged and with Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne and Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves listening attentively in the audience, Williams took the opportunity to stress the importance of using the arts to combat crime.

Williams thanked members of NAM for their commitment to the group especially when practice sessions involved long nights of rehearsals away from their families to perfect their stage productions. The Director confessed that it gave him satisfaction when persons in the group who could not read well became fluent and presented themselves like any international performer and when people who were incredibly timid overcame their shyness.

He also expressed gratitude to NAM’s fans, sponsors and particularly his family for supporting his love of the arts.

The event also had performances from Ken Isles, Naked Roots, Rhythm and Soul Dance Troupe. At the honouring ceremony a moment of silence was observed for fallen NAM members Camelita “Camo” Williams and Preston “Prick” Charles.