Tourists visiting Anguilla and living in the tourism belt, at West End, now have opportunities to purchase and take back home various items of arts and crafts with the tagline “Made in Anguilla.”
The exhibits are housed in a refurbished building, east of the Alwyn Allison Primary School. The refurbishing work was carried out by a number of community-minded persons with financial sponsorship by the Anguilla United Relief Fund mainly through Mr. Francis Greenburger, owner of Altamer Resort. He was one of the speakers at the soft launch of the exhibition project on Saturday, April 13.
The arts and craft work was produced by a number of artisans mainly from the West End – but also from Stoney Ground and other areas. The items include coconut carvings of cups, glasses and bowls; brooms using the leaves of the prolific thatched palms at West End; gleaming conch shell carvings of jewellery, animals, boats and other items; specially-designed bags; and a mixture of various beautiful and well-displayed exhibits.
The well-attended ceremony was chaired by Ms. Gina Brooks, a representative of the Ministry of Tourism. “It is a pleasure to see this project come to fruition with this soft launch,” she said. “It is expected that the full-fledged “Made in Anguilla” Arts and Crafts Centre will begin formal operations in May.
“This initiative is just part of the overall vision of the Government of Anguilla towards the enhancement of Anguilla’s tourism product offerings for visitors – but also to ensure that the Anguillian community, in particular our artisans and entrepreneurs, have access to, and are able to participate not just in arts and culture opportunities, but others that will be developed over time.”
Ms. Brooks added: “The Ministry’s main aim is to work in tangent with Anguilla’s artisans and other partners. This is to ensure the continued development of local cultural identities, practices and associated arts; and to ensure that the impact of what is culturally unique to Anguilla does not continue to be reduced by the effects of external influences.”
Mr. Cardigan Connor, Parliamentary Secretary Tourism, Sports and Culture, recalled that the now renovated arts and crafts building dated back to the early 1960s. That was when it served, over the years, as a residence for the headmaster of the then West End School. “The beauty of what is going to happen here – is that some of our artisans will bring some of their arts and crafts here and chances are that they will be sold,” Mr. Connor, the Elected Representative for the district, said. “It gives our people of the area and, by extension, Anguilla, an opportunity to showcase what they can do and be appreciated for it.”
He thanked a number of persons who were involved in the renovation of the building, all the artisans whose work is being exhibited, and those persons who have indicated their involvement and support. Among those Mr. Connor thanked were Mr. Francis Greenburger, owner of Altamer Resort, and Ms. Natalie Diaz, for their financial support under the United Anguilla Relief Fund – as well as Mr. David Rosenberg, a visitor to Anguilla, for his assistance.
Mr. Greenburger said that his Chief of Staff, Natalie Diaz, had volunteered and partnered with him in creating and organizing the Anguilla United Relief Fund. He explained that the fund was founded, in the days after Hurricane Irma, to collect relief for the island. “Our approach has been to make the largest impact to the areas of most need, and to support the Health Authority of Anguilla’s electricity system right after the hurricane,” he stated.
The Altamer Resort owner further noted: “As the Anguilla United Relief Fund continues its commitment to Anguilla, we are pleased to have sponsored the creation of this arts and crafts centre. We aim to support local artisans, the entrepreneurial creative industry on Anguilla, and tourism at large, by providing space to promote, preserve and grow Anguillian culture.”
He added: “As a result of Secretary Connor’s leadership, the arts centre provides studio and showcase space for local artists in Anguilla, giving them and artisans a place to create, show and sell their work. It offers an opportunity to train and expose youth to do authentic Anguillian work. In our eyes, this commitment represents another seed investment into the vital elements of society and the future of the island: education, health and local entrepreneurship and culture.
“I would like to thank Chief Minister Banks, and the Government of Anguilla, for their commitment to this project – as well as Secretary Connor for his leadership and oversight of the creation of this centre. Thank you for this partnership as we work to support tourism and culture in the island.”
Chief Minister Banks made the point that the arts and crafts centre was something the Government wanted to develop as it moved forward united behind common purposes to elevate the lives of the people in the communities. He paid tribute to the late Elected Representatives of the West End/Long Bay district, Mr. John Hodge and Mr. Albert Hughes, who led the community over the years and gained the support of the people.
“This project could not have happened in a better place,” Mr. Banks continued. “West End has always been the centre of arts and crafts whether it was mat-making, broom-making, boat-making, carving and a whole range of other craft work associated with this area. I think it is significant that we have chosen this spot to highlight the talent in arts and crafts of this community in Anguilla. I think it is very coincidental, and very important, that we begin here with a “Made in Anguilla” arts and crafts centre…I think it accentuates what this community has given to Anguilla – the export of brooms and mats to all parts of the region.
“I think we have an opportunity to grow this project into a more comprehensive and all-encompassing project about being “Made in Anguilla”. We may not know it, but our tourism product is made in Anguilla and that is what has led this community and our economy for many, many years. We are thankful to the friends of Anguilla, and investors, who have been a part of this project – our development generally, and the contributions they continue to make to support us with projects as this.”
In that context, Mr. Banks expressed thanks to Mr. Greenburger, owner of Altamer Resort, for his intimate involvement in supporting the arts and crafts centre – and the Anguilla United Relief Fund “which lifted spirits after Hurricane Irma.”
The “Made in Anguilla” Arts Crafts and Centre is being managed by Ms. Malissa Carty, one of the island’s artists, who has a number of passionate friends and supporters in the arts and crafts business.
For the record, there is an arts and crafts centre in The Valley operated by a group of womenfolk. In West End, there are arts and carving galleries whose operators are Mr. Courtney Devonish and Mr. Cheddie Richardson.
