A celebration of vibrant Jamaican art and culture is set to captivate audiences at the 2024 Art of Transformation (AOT) Festival in Opa-locka, Florida.

The festival, which kicks off tomorrow, December 4, will run until December 8 under the theme Black Aliveness and the Aesthetics of Being.

The five-day festival will explore how black cultural expression shapes identity, autonomy, and connection and will feature seven exhibitions.

The seven exhibitions include the highly anticipated Jamaica on My Mind: Aliveness and Livity, curated by Professor Phillip Thomas from the Edna Manley School of Art in Kingston.

The Jamaica on My Mind exhibition highlights the work of Jamaican artists from both the island and the diaspora, interpreting the theme of Livity, a concept of vitality central to Jamaican culture.

Visitors can immerse themselves in Jamaican heritage during the Jamaican Heritage Cocktail Reception on Friday, 6 December, at 6:30 pm, which will include music, dance, and art. Special guests include Jamaican Consul General Oliver Mair and HOT 105’s Tanto Irie, with musical vibes provided by Jason Panton and Dubwise.

On Saturday, December 7, there will be a panel discussion from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm, featuring artists and curators reflecting on the evolution of Jamaican contemporary art in political, social, and economic contexts.

Visitors can also engage in other panels throughout the day, including a conversation with sculptor Siriki Ky at 10:00 am and curator Phillip Thomas at 11:30 am.

The festival also includes six additional exhibitions:

• In Praise of the Blues by Haitian artist Edouard Duval-Carrié (4–8 December)
• Under the Bridge, Beyond the Beach, Above the Muck (4–8 December)
• And Is: The BlackFlorida Project (4–8 December)
• Embodiment of Aliveness: The Sculptures of Siriki Ky (4–8 December)
• Site Memory: The Sculpture Garden (4–8 December)
• Tales of Opa-locka: A Heritage Journey (4–8 December)

Organised by Ten North Group, AOT reflects its commitment to fostering cultural exchange and celebrating Black identity through the arts. Admission is free.