Although he agrees that a price cannot be put on culture, Free National Movement Senator Desmond Bannister is urging the government to ensure that whatever is spent on the National Art Gallery is properly accounted for.
Noting that the government did not pay public servants their promised raises on time, Senator Bannister said money shouldn’t be used for peripheral matters.
Alluding to the $1 million spent on renting Junkanoo bleachers, he said the government can no longer afford to waste money providing temporary seating for spectators of cultural events.
Senator Bannister was contributing to debate on a Bill to Establish the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas.
Villa Doyle, located on West Hill Street, is expected to open at the end of the month.
Meantime, his hope is that the development of the National Art Gallery will encourage a renaissance in the West Hill Street area.
“Visitors should not be allowed to visit the National Art Gallery in isolation, but should be able to see the full spectrum of Bahamian art in the immediate neighborhood,” he said.
Senator Bannister suggested that an ‘artist village’ be created, similarly to the old Jumbey Village.
The National Art Gallery, located on West Hill Street, is scheduled to be opened on July 7. The government purchased the building, known as Villa Doyle, in 1995 to establish the gallery.
(Photo by Otis Forbes)
“Bahamian artists can have an outlet for their work and tourists can leisurely stroll, view and purchase art in a safe environment,” said Senator Bannister, who is convinced that this could be the greatest urban renewal success ever.
In the meantime, Government Senator Paulette Zonicle noted that art and culture are key to the Progressive Liberal Party government’s plans for national development.
“All nations interested in preserving its past have established art galleries where works of value can be displayed so that future generations can readily discern something about its past,” Senator Zonicle said.
“It is therefore commendable that the previous government – and we must give credit where credit is due – and now indeed our government has seen the necessity to develop and establish the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas,” she added.
Admitting that for too long the restoration of Villa Doyle into a National Art Gallery has been put on the back burner, PLP Senator Cypriana McWeeney congratulated the government for making the opening of the National Art Gallery a priority.
“The Bahamian people are culturally starved for a home base or place to call our own for past, present and future generations to profit from what is our cultural legacy,” Senator McWeeney said.
She encouraged established artists to hold free classes at the gallery on a rotating basis for students who might have great talent, but otherwise would not be able to afford private lessons.
“This would go a long way in producing the next generation of great and accomplished artists,” Senator McWeeney said. “Guidance by this current generation of artists and artisans will take the country to an even higher level of artistic excellence in the years ahead.”
The Bahama Journal
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