Nassau, Bahamas: Jackson Burnside rocked in the world of Architecture. His love of the craft and eagerness to experience the world led him to travel to many countries to enjoy both the unique structures as well as cultures.
Mentored by the late Louis I. Khan, Burnside, in his own right became an architectural icon throughout the Caribbean. In his effort to learn more about the world around him, he in turn taught others how to effectively embrace natural products and merge them with the built environment.
Islands of the World Fashion Showcase (IWFS) has created the Jackson L Burnside III Fashion & Design Award to honour this Caribbean legend. It is now one of four award categories that qualified designers can vie for at the newly re-branded, bi-annual event.
This award in particular will recognize the innovation and creative talents of professional designers of the built environment.
Architects, artists and interior designers from all small island developing states are invited to submit applications to vie for the award. The deadline to submit applications for the award is January 31st, 2012.
Entrants selected in this category will be challenged to create a wearable garment out of materials and non-typical textiles used in the building industry. A written description of their proposed pieces must accompany the application. Each applicant will have the option of using a fashion design student or professional as a consultant in crafting his/her piece.
Entries must be completed and submitted for judging no later than April 23, 2012 and will be installed at Doongalik Studios during the week of the Showcase. There it will be the focus of local, regional and international media.
The winning designer and piece will be announced on May 5, 2012 and spotlighted on an internationally syndicated television show as well as given coverage in Insitu Arch Caribbean Magazine.
Applications can be obtained from the IWFS website at www.islandsfashionweek.com.
About IWFS
Endorsed from its inception in 2008 by the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization (UNESCO), Islands of the World Fashion Week has been successful in fulfilling its mandate of promoting island designers from around the world and exposing them to international media and buyers.
The two-day event will showcase ten designers at each event representing island nations around the world, along with international designers. The event in May will highlight designer resort, sports and swim wear and accessories. November will feature designer couture, pret-a-porter and casual wear and accessories.
The new award category joins the other designer awards available to participants including the NextGen Designer, Sustainable Eco-Fashion, and Culture & Fashion along with five Seals of Excellence and the Humanitarian Award.
About Burnside
Born in Nassau, Bahamas Burnside was a multitalented and respected architect, artist, designer, cultural advocate and educator. He studied abroad at Lincoln University (Pennsylvania) and the Graduate School of Fine Arts of the University of Pennsylvania where he obtained two Masters Degrees in Architecture, including one from the Design Studio of Louis I. Kahn.
He was the owner of Jackson Burnside Limited, the architectural firm, and served as a visiting professor at the University of Miami and The Caribbean School of Architecture, Kingston Jamaica, among other institutions.
He was a Junkanoo co-leader with the Saxons for many years before leaving to form, along with others, the One Family Junkanoo and Community Organization where he was Chairman Emeritus and designer. He was the founder and host of the popular interactive radio show “Junkanoo Talks”.
He was the recipient of numerous awards and honours, including The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Citizens Award for the Creative and Performing Arts and The E. Clement Bethel Award for Excellence in the Arts.
Along with his wife, Pamela, he also owned and operated Doongalik Studios Art Gallery where they promoted and showcased the rich art and cultural talents of the country for over thirty years. Jackson was passionately committed to the belief that Design which focused on our native resources could play a major role in the continuous improvement of the physical, social and economic environment of the country and to that end he dedicated his life to ensure that by the year 2020, more visitors would come to The Bahamas for its Art, Culture and Heritage, than those who came for the sun, sand and sea. He died May 11, 2011.
