The Chairman, Board and staff of the National Gallery of Jamaica would like to express our sadness at the passing of Lois Lake Sherwood JP, OD – businesswoman, philanthropist, visual artist, and former member of the NGJ Board of Directors. As reported from the release made by her family last Saturday, Mrs. Sherwood was celebrated as a “trailblazer” with a legacy of endurance, optimism, generosity, encouragement, and wisdom, that characterized her business and diplomatic careers, as well as her relationship with the local arts and culture communities. In 2012, Mrs. Sherwood was awarded one of Jamaica’s highest honors – the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander – for her immeasurable commitment to national development.
An accomplished painter, Mrs. Sherwood’s interest in the visual arts emerged while she was still a child, but began to transition into development towards a professional practice, with her studies at Le Centre d’ Art (Port-au-Prince, Haiti) from 1948 to 1950, and later during 1956 at the Jamaica School of Art. In an interview with writer Wayne Lawrence (published 2010), Mrs. Sherwood’s commitment to pursuing her art practice, despite raising a family and managing businesses, reflected an enormous amount of drive on her part, including her professional partnership with Jamaican painter George Rodney, who shared a studio space with her and who encouraged her to exhibit her work. Mrs. Sherwood exhibited both locally and overseas, won awards for her artwork and was patronized by several private collectors.
Lois Lake Sherwood continued to contribute the development of Jamaican visual arts, through her service as a director on the NGJ Board, from 1998 to 2008. During that time, she was the Chair of the Marketing and Fundraising sub-committee and played a significant role in the growth of the NGJ Gift Shop and the raising of funds for the purchase of the NGJ’s van. As such, the National Gallery of Jamaica extends its deepest condolences and best wishes to the family, friends, and colleagues of Lois Lake Sherwood, during this time of bereavement.
For further reading on the artistic career of Lois Lake Sherwood:
Lawrence, Wayne. “Lois Lake Sherwood”. The Art of Jamaica, A Prelude. Trafford Publishing, 2010