Devonish
I am concerned that after 31 years in Anguilla, I can still count the number of local customers, visiting to my gallery, not including Expats, on one hand.
My concern is not for me. I am 75 soon to be 76 year old man; I am concerned about the next generation of budding artists, for fear they might not have a local or proper tourist market.
It took me 15 years in Barbados to attract a local market, until I persuaded the largest department store in Barbados to host an exhibition in a space next to the most popular restaurant in Bridgetown, for both locals and tourists.
The exhibition was a huge success, so much so that it became an annual event until my moving to Anguilla. The general comment from locals was that they always admired the work in the hotels and luxury villas, but never thought they could afford it.
My last exhibition in Barbados was in the Government run Queens Park Gallery; 75% of the exhibition was sold to locals on the opening night, not leaving much for the tourists.
If we are to develop an appreciation, taste, and market for art and crafts, teachers and parents should start organising field trips to the art galleries and craft shops for the children
I can only recall less than 5 trips by school children in the 31 years, and they were mainly from the primary schools.
The National Council of Women is responsible for my visit to Anguilla, compliments the Canadian Aid Agency, to conduct training workshops in Ceramics. The agency had built a wonderful workshop, equipped ceramic studio and other training facilities.
Government tore down the building, on the pretext they needed the land, and a promise to rebuild it. The empty space is still there and the equipment might not even be accounted for; the building was never rebuilt.
In my report to the then Sir Emile Gumbs Government, I proposed that governments i
n their MOU agreements should include an arrangement for hotels to provide an adequate retail space for local arts and crafts, regardless who owns the retail outlet. Expect some quality control.
If they do not comply with this suggestion, local artists and craftspersons would not be able to earn a meaningful living from their work. We are beginning to see the truth in that recommendation, as less and less tourists are leaving the hotels to shop.
I applaud Zemi Beach and Malliouhuana hotels for their efforts; I hope other hotels would follow suit.
I will be holding an Exhibition from 14th to 31st December 2019. Art and crafts -hand carved from the old mahogany tree, bought 30 years from the late Albert Lake, it fell in 1971.
Make certain you visit my exhibition at Lake’s Marketplace.
