– says Simone Dowding on receiving GCA award

LOCAL acting sensation Simone Dowding will never forget the morning she received a phone call informing her that she had been chosen by the Guyana Cultural Association of New York (GCA) for an award that recognises her contribution to the arts in Guyana.
“When my phone rang that Tuesday morning, at the other end of line was a gentleman who identified himself as Ron Lammy, saying that he was calling on behalf of the GCA. At first I thought that it was one of my friends who had nothing to do at this hour of the morning and just wanted to gaff. But it turned out that he was genuine, and the rest is history,” Dowding told the Buzz.

She travelled up to New York for the awards ceremony and received her award on August 28 at the Brooklyn Borough Hall on Joralemon Street in Brooklyn.

“It is a feeling of great accomplishments,” Dowding said. “I am humbled by my achievements. I am always willing to give utmost importance to theatre arts and anyone who holds an interest,” she added.

Dowding is the Founder and Chief Executive Director of Purple Arts Productions, a company that deals primarily with children, and aims to teach them the basics of six different disciplines of drama when schools are closed for the August holidays.

Purple Arts Productions was founded in 2012. “So we are an eight-year-old company, doing our bit to nurture children’s talent by giving them a valve to channel their energies and help to keep them off the streets. Thanks to the former and sitting First Ladies for their overwhelming support through the years,” Dowding said, adding:
“To the sponsors who believed in my work over the years: Mr. Basil Mahadeo & Nalico/NAFICO, Mr. Clyde Dehaas/Courts UNICOMMER and Miranda Takhure-Dean & Give Another Chance Foundation. This year we saw Ms. Akeila Dorris & the Ministry of Social Protection and Abigail Waterman & Grooming Palace Salon and Barbershop joining us. I could not have done all of the work without the assistance of Sydney Henry (Sherwin Adams) and Jennifer Kendall.

“I would like to give this trophy to Lorna Welshman, my second mother, who lives in Richmond Virginia. She shined light in my darkness when I was down in the drains. To my friend and sister, Belina Charlie, without whom I would have not have been able to fly to Brooklyn to accept my award; to my friend and sister, Professor Paloma Mohamed, who taught me to believe in myself; to my children Shoula, Holis and Dellon for the times when they are without me, as I was in a workshop or rehearsal somewhere; to my mother, Leila Dowding, whom I used to have spending her last red dollar to send me to practice, but is not alive to savour my achievements.”

Dowding said she is also grateful to New York State Senator, Kevin Parker; Member of Congress of New York Hakeem Jeffries; Borough President of Brooklyn, Eric Adams and all of the members of the GCA for seeing it fitting to give her this award.