By M Margaret Burke

– leaves vendors, patrons wanting more

DIRECTOR of Culture, Ms. Tamika Boatswain has expressed satisfaction at the response received from both vendors and patrons who attended the recent Visual Arts and Craft Market.

“We wanted to let the Guyanese people see the high quality of products we as a people are able to produce; what our heritage industry can produce, and to get Guyanese to support more from our local creative industry,” Boatswain said.

The two-day event held on downtown Main Street last Wednesday and Thursday, was planned and executed by the Ministry of Social Cohesion.

Boatswain expressed the view that the artists who created the visual art and craft that were on display at the market have done well and she would like them to continue to grow and develop the industry in Guyana.

“I want them to continue to improve on this industry, because I see it as being very important for the development of the country’s economy, and also for the building of national pride,” she said.

Curator of Castellani House, Mr. Ohene Koama told the Guyana Chronicle that the idea of the Visual Arts and Craft Market came about due to a survey conducted during the Literary and Visual Arts Street Fair, held on February 15, 2018 for the Mashramani celebrations.

“During the event,” Koama said, “the survey showed that over 90 per cent of the people wanted more events showcasing the talented visual artists and crafts manufacturers, who especially exploit local materials.

“The survey among the visual artists and craft manufacturers who participated in the event, showed that over 97 per cent of them wished for this form of event to be more often and for two days instead of one.”

The findings, he said, were reported to Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton and based on those findings, a proposal was made to have the event for the 52nd Independence Anniversary, and Minister Norton supported it without hesitation.

OBJECTIVE ACHIEVED

“The objective of the event was; 1) to give the Visual Artists and Craft manufacturers additional opportunities to showcase and market their product of the requisite quality; 2) to encourage the use of local materials while we are emerging as a green state and; 3) to encourage standard international packaging and branding,” Mr. Koama told the Guyana Chronicle,as he proudly informed that on evaluation of the event, 94 per cent of those objectives were achieved.

He said however that in the area of charisma and persuasive language for marketing skills, much more attention needs to be paid in order to help vendors do a better job with their products.

Meanwhile, Mr. Koama told the Guyana Chronicle that the government had been doing quite a lot and the artists had to do their part to help themselves. Additionally, all the efforts and opportunities to help the artists to sell their works were being put in place by the government. At the same time, Mr. Koama said, “we are not taking a cent from the artist to make these events happen.”

He said that he viewed the move by the government to help the artists as one that is needed, and wherever the opportunity arises for this kind of event to happen, he would personally encourage the Minister and the government to allow it.

EXCELLENT DISPLAYS
The 2018 arts and craft market was mounted showing examples of the work it hoped would help raise both the economic, social and intellectual status of crafts, which include ceramics, textiles, metalwork, wood, wax, bamboo, straw, beads, leather and many more.

The arts and craft makers came from every part of Guyana and have displayed both revived and innovative art and craft, which are being created as employment for local people, as well as for the pleasure and enjoyment of many in the country and also overseas. This kind of economic and sociocultural development could mean that the market has not only endured the times, but is on a determined path towards a great and success journey at this juncture of the country.

Meanwhile, some of the artists told the Guyana Chronicle that they were very grateful for the opportunity to be able to display their work and wanted to let it be known that they appreciate the efforts being made by the government. At the same time many of the vendors, as well as patrons were of the view that this should be a regular venture. (mercilinburke2017@gmail.com)