TUESDAY 16 APRIL 2024, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — Gallery OCA proudly announces that its Founder, Sherece Rainford, has been awarded the Freedom of the City of London. The private ceremony at the London Guildhall celebrated several high-achieving women including former WPP President Karen Blackett and Google’s Vanessa Kingori.
Sherece was awarded the freedom for her amplification of Caribbean and Black art in the UK. The Freedom of the City of London is an ancient tradition that dates back to mediaeval times. It is a symbolic honour that recognises outstanding contributions to the City of London and its communities.
Gallery OCA is a pioneering initiative dedicated to championing emerging, mid-level, and established artists from the Caribbean. Located in South Kensington London, the gallery showcases a blend of in-person and online curatorial interventions; fostering broader exposure and providing a reputable, professional platform for exploring and acquiring Caribbean art. In doing so, it not only showcases the artistic heritage of the islands but also narrates the stories and celebrates the cultural contributions of artists of Caribbean descent.
Of the gallery, Sherece said “It’s been two years since Gallery OCA’s inception and we’ve taken a multifaceted approach to implementing strategies that drive education, promotion, and increased exposure to Caribbean art. The gallery challenges misconceptions, shares how the art should be appreciated and the vast value it brings to the wider cultural landscape.”
Sherece continued “My heritage and passion for art is inextricably linked to the gallery’s mission, which is to awaken and truly expand the appetite for the consumption of Caribbean art, and to chronicle the history of the Islands through the artists.”
Before Gallery OCA, Sherece was a Business Consultant with over 15 years of experience and a former lecturer at University College London (UCL) on their Innovation & Entrepreneurship Bright Ideas Programme.