PRIME Minister Perry Christie yesterday acknowledged the need to provide opportunities for artistic talent to be remunerated.

Underscoring the importance of giving culture a more prominent role in the country, Mr Christie congratulated visual artist Jamaal Rolle for his entrepreneurial spirit.

Adding to the list of noted recipients, Mr Rolle presented the prime minister with a framed portrait yesterday.

Mr Christie said: “I remember the role I played as a young minister of tourism in promoting Amos Ferguson, having his painting going to the Smithsonian. I have grown in my appreciation in the extent to which the talent of our artists ought to be manifested and paid for in our country.

“I am a big fan of people who are involved in our culture and I know we have a lot of work to do to translate the talent and connect it to the commerce of our country, that is what (Mr Rolle) was able to do.”

Self-titled ‘The Celebrity Artist’, Mr Rolle has become well known for his portrait presentations to high profile individuals such as the Reverend Al Sharpton, Sir Sidney Poitier and Oprah Winfrey.

Yesterday, Mr Rolle expressed gratitude to Mr Christie for facilitating his presentations and supporting his work. Mr Rolle’s cartoons are published Monday to Friday in The Tribune.