For Immediate Release
Bahamas

North Andros shows off music and art

March 12, 2010

Cacique award winning carver Henry Wallace of Red Bays was featured at the 18th North Andros Music and Arts Festival at Nicholl’s Town Sea View Park last weekend. His most popular piece was a self-portrait entitled ‘Papa Henry’, carved out of native mahogany. He is working on a hawksbill turtle. Wilton Russell, also of Red Bays as a hit with his Bahamas Coat of Arms and a scene from the Andros crab festival carved out of native wood.

The festival, organized by community activist Clara Evans and winter resident Doris Hoffman, has become a mainstay on the Bahamian culture calendar.North Androsians also celebrated International Square Day when they recognize their winter residents. “The artistic expression of culture through handicraft, painting, sculpture and the simple arrangement of shapes, structures and colors to express an inner meaning are important manifestations of growth and development to any people,” said Ms Evans.

Utilizing ingredients found in the local environment artisans created an array of jewelry, souvenirs and household items. For the first time this year, an agriculture section was created featuring top Andros winter fruit and vegetables at below Nassau prices. “The future is brighter now for Bahamian artisans,” said Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation executive chairman Edison M Key, a featured speaker. “A number of things are coming together to make it easier for artisans to get their goods to where they ought to be.

“Our tourists want an authentic Bahamian experience, including Bahamian-made souvenirs and memorabilia, and not something mass-produced elsewhere with the name 'Bahamas' written on it.” As a result, the Ministry of Tourism has come on as a partner in promoting Bahamian handicraft by way of its public relations department, he said. The Ministry has also asked BAIC to co-ordinate its annual Authentically Bahamian Craft Show. “For artisans, this will open doors to hoteliers and those who cater directly to tourists,” said Mr Key.

Utilizing their best instructors, BAIC has, over the last two years, trained more than a thousand persons throughout the islands, in the art of creating Bahamian handicraft, using mainly ingredients found in the local environment. “The result has been a bigger and better BAIC BahamArts Festival at the Arawak Cay Culture Centre where artisans from throughout the islands come each year to showcase their best to the world. “I am pleased with the quality and standard of work coming out of Andros and this festival is testimony of that,” said Mr Key. “It tells me that our work has not been in vain.”