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April 7, 2008
GOVERNMENT HOUSE RECEIVES GIFT FROM LOCAL ST. THOMAS ARTIST
In a recent ceremony, local St. Thomas artist Shirley Leonard presented an original acrylic painting to Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. titled "Government House." The original painting is a rendering of present day Government House and the surrounding area of Government Hill and is a gift from Leonard to the people of the Virgin Islands in honor of her former students at Charlotte Amalie High School, where she was a former teacher of English and Civics. Leonard was known as Shirley Manning while a teacher at CAHS, and was fondly known as "Mannix" by her students. "Shirley’s painting is a beautiful gift to Government House and to the people of the territory. We will proudly display it here at Government House in honor of her skill and talent as an artist and in recognition of her love of community. I am most appreciative for the gift of this wonderful piece of original artwork," deJongh said. Leonard, a self-taught artist, began painting and exhibiting her art in 1991 while recovering from cancer. She was diagnosed in 1991 and began painting while in chemotherapy. She credits her daughter, Michelle Manning, for providing inspiration for the progression of her art and is especially grateful for her care and support throughout her illness. Leonard’s artwork focuses on Caribbean and oriental themes, as well as winter and snow-scapes from "an older time." At one point, Leonard had a prognosis with less than a 10% chance of survival from her cancer illness. After receiving this news, she soon found a strong appreciation for watercolors, colored pencils, crayons, and acrylic paints. Her talent flourished, and she quickly learned of the depth of her skill and talent as an artist. Art expression became a form of therapy and an outlet for creative energy and healthy living during her cancer treatments. Leonard has been in remission from cancer since 1991. Leonard is a community-spirited and community-oriented individual who has previously donated her paintings to other communities in which she has spent significant time. Specifically, she has donated her artwork to the people of China, and to the people of the state of North Carolina. Leonard is the first and only American artist to have her work officially displayed in China. In 1995, upon the death of her father, Leonard taught art classes to local youth in China. Soon after, she made a gift of several paintings to the Chinese Government in honor of her students in China. Those paintings still hang in the Great Hall of the People in DanDong, China. In recognition of her winter paintings, Leonard is known as "Xueli" (Shu – yi) in China, which means "Beautiful Snow." "I love St. Thomas, and it is my honor to donate this special rendering of Government House to Governor deJongh and to the people of the Virgin Islands. I have many paintings of my beloved Virgin Islands, and this one, I thought, truly expressed my spirit as a servant of the people. It is a pleasure and a high honor for me to present this painting today in honor of my former students at Charlotte Amalie High School," Leonard said. Leonard notes that she has oftentimes found great inspiration from her students, and in tribute to their ideas, she frequently dedicates paintings in their honor. Leonard continues to exhibit her artwork locally and will be featuring her paintings in an upcoming exhibition with the Virgin Islands Arts Council later this year. |
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