Kimani Beckford, Ainsworth Case and Greg Bailey are the young artists responsible for the transformation of the corporate offices of the newly rebranded Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC).

On a mission to establish themselves in the industry, they all agreed to give their services free of cost when they were approached by JCDC executive director Grace Silvera, and immediately got to work on what has been their largest canvas yet.

“I have a passion for art,” says 23-year-old Beckford, former student of the Garvey Maceo High School and currently a student at the Edna Manley College. Having worked on the current mural at the Creative Production and Training Centre, he was approached to work on the murals at the JCDC on recommendation by a colleague. “I agreed to participate in the project because I wanted to make my contribution to cultural development in Jamaica.”

Also volunteering to assist the JCDC was 26-year-old Case, popularly known by his surname in the Arts industry. Having graduated from Edna Manley College in 2007 with honours, Case — who is also an actor, dancer, model, singer, interior decorator and fashion designer — said: “I want to challenge the present paradigm of Jamaican art and this was the perfect opportunity for me to have my work displayed on such a grand scale.”

Pursuing his dream of establishing himself as an artistic great, he currently works and exhibits at Studio 174 and Robert Hall Decors. Case is also the founder of the Jamaica Association of Young Artist and operates a modelling agency called Casmar Models International.

With the ambition to become a renowned painter, 23-year-old Bailey is close to finishing a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in painting and a minor in Illustration.

“I developed a love for the arts when I was in fifth form at the Albert Town High School,” said Bailey. “When I received the certificate for the “Most Outstanding Art Student”, that’s when I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the arts,” he added.

The JCDC project, however, was Bailey’s third corporate gig, having been contracted by First Global Bank and Jamaica Biscuit Company to paint portraits and caricatures at the Liguanea Arts Festival and the Garfield Wonderland Show at Hope Gardens in 2009.

All three artists were recognised and awarded by the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Olivia Grange at the official rebranding ceremony held on February 18, and GraceKennedy Company Limited sweetened the pot by giving them cash contributions for their efforts.