Twenty-one artisans in Eleuthera have graduated from Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation’s (BAIC) new Texture Painting Course.
It marked another milestone for BAIC as it continues to open Bahamians to opportunities in the multi-million dollar craft and souvenir industry. The course was spearheaded by the Handicraft Development and Marketing Department headed by Assistant General Manager, Donnalee Bowe. She represented BAIC executive chairman Edison M. Key during the graduation ceremony in Eleuthera recently.
Mrs. Teri M. Bethel, a texture painter and designer of the popular Teri Monique line of handbags, conducted the course.
“It is our vision that Bahamians be equipped with the skills to create first class, Bahamas-themed quality crafts and souvenir items,” said Ms. Bowe.
“Hundreds of millions of dollars leave the country to import craft and souvenir items for residents and visitors.
“Many of these items we can do and should be doing ourselves thereby earning the millions of dollars that we send out of the country unnecessarily.”
A major push to promote Bahamian handicraft internationally is the construction of a Bahamas Virtual Platform which will allow artisans to do business online.
The project is being financed by BAIC and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), through the IDB Group’s Multilateral Investment Fund. Other partners are the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and the Bahamas National Craft Association.
“It is an initiative which seeks to strengthen the local handicraft industry through the development of an online marketplace, and the expansion of benefits to Bahamian artisans,” said Ms Bowe.
“When this platform is operational, it will provide artisans with access to global markets.”
In that vein, BAIC has been training Bahamians in the creation of artwork, utilising as far as possible, ingredients found in the local environment. And, in order to inspire Bahamians, seasoned artisans, willing to impart their secrets of success, are joining BAIC’s team of trainers.
Mrs. Bethel, a texture painter and handbag designer for some 23 years, is the newest addition to the BAIC handicraft family.
“It’s been quite a remarkable experience,” said Mrs Bethel. “To see the excitement of the students and their willingness to learn was absolutely amazing.”
During the graduation ceremony recently, students exhibited their works. “It was heartening to see what the students had learned in five days of painting with texture,” she said. “They took their new skills and created fabulous products.
“The talent in The Bahamas is evident everywhere. It’s simply a matter of taking our crafts, service and products to a new level.
“Making something that is just ‘good enough’ or ‘can get by’ should be a mindset of the past if we are to produce quality products that people actually want to purchase.
“Excellence in attitude and finished work need to be the order of the day if we are serious about having our products recognised at our local festivals and in the region.”
Veteran artist and gift shop owner Mrs. Dorothy Rahming, said the Texture Painting course has given her artwork “the life and dimension she has been wanting for a very long time.”
Mrs. Stephanie Pearce, also known as Eleuthera’s gourd bag lady, said her product “has now stepped up another level with the techniques she learned in only five days.”
Former educator turned indigenous artist, Admiral L. Ferguson Sr, has “transformed his basic coconut purse inside and out, into a textured work of art that resembles snake skin,” he observed.
Crafter, Mrs. Audrey Carey, said she was “thrilled with the unlimited possibilities texture painting has opened for her.” Her texture painted framed mirrors are a local hit.
Students included a number of artists/crafters in their own right including the presidents of two of Eleuthera’s craft associations Andrea Carey and Susan Culmer.
Also present at the ceremony celebrating the accomplishments of the crafters was Gregory Knowles, Deputy Administrator (South Eleuthera), Mrs. Joan Stubbs, BAIC’s representative in Eleuthera. They brought hearty words of encouragement to the group.
Gladstone Thurston
Bahamas Information Services
