"Spring Festival 2008" Tourism Ministry to Showcase Authentically “Grand” Bahamian Crafts and Fine Art on Taino Beach, April 3 – 5, 2008.

Visitors and residents of Grand Bahama Island will be treated to a visual delight of Authentically “Grand” Bahamian products, when a variety of locally manufactured crafts and souvenirs, food, drinks and music; as well as fine art and a wedding will be presented during “Spring Festival 2008” in two locations, over three days during the first weekend in April 2008.  

 

On day one, Thursday, April 3^rd select gift and craft manufacturers will exhibit exclusively for cruise passengers arriving at the Lucayan Cruise Facility, Freeport Harbour.  Days two and three, Friday April 4^th and Saturday April 5th will be staged along the sandy shoreline of Taino Beach.  

 

 

Executive Director of Tourism for Grand Bahama Island, Kerry Fountain said that the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation is intent on providing opportunities and support for “Bahamians who are delivering world class products and experiences reflective of The Bahamas; as well as a sustained deepening of meaningful Bahamian participation and ownership in the tourism economy.”

 

“Spring Festival 2008” will feature the combined works of as many as fifty vendors and artists representing Grand Bahama, Abaco, Bimini and the Berry Islands and Nassau will offer their works for sale and exhibit in a casual, tropical family atmosphere.  

 

A brief official opening ceremony is scheduled for Friday evening, followed by the Love 97 FM North Authentically Bahamian Fantasy Wedding.

 

The exhibitors will be grouped into two categories at adjoining locations on Taino Beach:   Gifts and Crafts; and Fine Art at Sculpture Pointe and Junkanoo Beach Club.

 

In the Gift and Craft Category “Spring Festival 2008” will feature more than 15 categories of handicrafts including aromatherapy, batik, garments, specialty foods, fine art, ceramics, pottery, wood craft, glass art, straw and woven products, and basketry etc.  

 

Among others confirmed to date, noted craft artist and Cacique Award 2008 award winner Grand Bahamian Cathy Laing heads the list crafts specialists.   Participating Painters, Metal and Ceramic Artists include Claudette Dean, Chantal Bethel, Sheldon Saint; and Nassau-based master artists and sculptors Max Taylor, Antonius Roberts, Tyrone Ferguson, John Cox and Jessica Colebrook.

 

According to festival coordinator Sanique Culmer “The Ministry is committed to encouraging a culture of creative skilled craftsmen, vendors, performers, and service providers”.

 

The work of each participant will be subject to the following criteria:

 

1. Authentic Bahamian Products – At least 80% of the inputs, inclusive of material and labour, to be Bahamian                                          
2. Bahamian Products – Bahamian inputs less than 80% but more than 50%, but to be made in The Bahamas or by Bahamians.                                                                               
3. Bahamian Style Products – Products with less than 50% Bahamian inputs that are made to depict things Bahamian.                                                                                                
4. Made in The Bahamas Products – Any product made in The Bahamas.

 

Gifts and Craft Exhibitors will be judged on overall booth presentation and contestants in the Love 97FM Fantasy Wedding will compete for prizes as well.

 

Interested persons wishing to participate in the “Spring Festival 2008” are asked to contact Sanique Culmer, Coordinator, Authentically Bahamian, Ministry of Tourism Grand Bahama Island.

The Festival will Showcase the following:

Craft Specialists:

Nassau

1. Celestine Albury, Celestine Woodcarving
2.  Sharon Ferguson, The Rose of Sharon of Homemade Soaps
3. Ann Cooper, Sterlin/Ann Creations
4. Christine Curtis, Christine's Straw Work
5. Beatrice Gardiner, Beagard House of Bags

Abaco

6. Lavern Maynard, Lavern's Gifts & Things

GRAND BAHAMA

7. Shauna Joseph, Joseph & Joseph Shell Craft
8. Lorraine Gibson, Homemade Jams, Jellies & Preserves
9. Gina Marche, Uniquely Gina's
10. Tiffany Wildgoose, Out Island Essentials
11. Kyron Cooper, PRAVADA Kyron Cooper
12. Erica Rolle, Erica Monique & Co. "Bahamian Girl Enterprise"
13. Alisa Streather, Art of The Bahamas
14. Dorothy Goldsmith, Docagold Trading
15. Siane Taylor & Peggy Johnson,  Reli Great Bargains
16. Synthia McKenzie, Synthia's Homemade Sand Collection
17. Sidney Pratt, Glass Art
18. Fragrance of The Bahamas, Aromatherapy
19. Andrea Russell, Authentic Creations

Fine Artists :

Nassau

20. Tyrone Ferguson, Blacksmith
21. Maxwell Taylor, Painter/Printmaker
22. Jessica Maycock Colebrook, Ceramicist
23. John Cox, Painter
24. Antonius Roberts, Sculptor/Painter

Grand Bahama

25.  Sheldon Saint, Painter
26. Claudette Dean, Painter
27. Chantal Bethel, Painter/Sculptor

Authors:

28. TBA

JUDGES :

1. Karen Bain-Ferguson, Port Lucaya Market Place

2. H. Rudy Sawyer, BAIC

3. Donald Dean, Architects Incorp

4. Angela Gibson, 2nd V.P., Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce

5. Rowena Rolle, Ministry of Tourism, Nassau Bahamas

6. Jeritzan Outten, Ministry of Tourism, Freeport Bahamas