Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation’s 13th BahamArts Festival will be held the entire weekend beginning October 29 at the Arawak Cay Culture Centre, executive chairman Edison M Key confirmed.
The Festival brings together artisans and artists from throughout The Bahamas in a ‘Craft Village’ setting to show off Bahamian-made products, souvenirs and gifts for visitors and residents. They include arts, crafts, clothing, accessories, jewellery, packaged and processed foods and much more displayed across one hundred booths during the three-day event.
There will be Bahamian entertainment featuring the popular Falcon Band. This year’s theme is ‘Endless Possibilities’, Mr Key told a press conference on Wednesday. A week of activities beginning Monday, October 25 has been organised to underscore the role of handicraft in the economy of the Bahamas.
A highlight of the week will be the honouring of 98-year-old veteran Bahamian artisan Louise ‘Titta’ Bullard during church services at Holy Family Catholic Church, Robinson Road, that Wednesday, 7pm.
The week opens on Monday with a two-day workshop on specialised and refined plaiting. The Bahamas National Craft Association’s two-day annual general meeting opens that Wednesday morning at SuperClub Breezes, Cable Beach. Delegations from 30 Family Island handicraft associations are expected to participate.
On Friday, Acting Prime Minister, the Hon. Brent T Symonette will officially open the annual Festival at the Arawak Cay Cultural Centre. Saturday will feature a mini ‘C’ class regatta, the popular ‘Battle of the Bands’ marching band contest, and a Junkanoo Rush-out.
The highlight on Sunday will be the Gala Tea Party, which showcases the best in tea party décor and table settings.
This will be followed by the Bahamian Gospel Explosion featuring praise teams, gospel choirs, youth choirs and individual artists.
“These are exciting times to be a part of the growing handicraft industry of the Bahamas estimated to be valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars,” said Mr Key
“That is what is spent to import souvenirs and other items for our tourist and for domestic use. Many of these items can be produce right here at home by Bahamians.
“So, through our Handicraft Development and Marketing Department, and armed with the best trainers, we have been throughout the islands conducting courses in the fine art of Bahamian handicraft, utilising in the main ingredients found in the local environment. It has been a huge success.”
Several hundred Bahamians have taken advantage of the opportunity to be trained in straw work, shell work, wood work and other forms of artistic expression, he said.
“Based on the products coming out of the various islands, Bahamian handicraft have indeed risen to that next level of expression whereby our ladies hand bags, for example, are designer led.
“We take note that the multi-million dollar Straw Market downtown Nassau is moving towards completion. Already debate swirls as to what kind of products should be sold there. We are firmly on the side of Bahamian artisans. It is our hope and we pledge to do our best to ensure that our Straw Market be a show-piece to the world of things Bahamian.”
By Gladstone Thurston
Bahamas Information Services
