The Director of the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, Dr. Erica James, returned from a year-long Post Doctoral Teaching Fellowship in the Department of Art History and Archaeology at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri on January 4, 2011.

While at Washington University, Dr. James taught two lecture courses and two seminars focusing on Caribbean, African And African American Art. She also presented public lectures as part of Washington University’s Chancellor Fellow Symposium. Additionally, at The Kemper Museum of Art, she led a workshop on the state of the field of African Diaspora Art History and shared her personal and professional life story to gifted undergraduates at the invitation of the Erwin Scholars Program. She states:

“I had a wonderful time at Washington University and fell in love with St Louis. Not only were my colleagues amazing people and scholars, but the challenge of the classroom allowed me to hone my teaching and communication skills, mentor engaging students and reconsider the possibilities of my scholarly practice within the academy. After seven years at the NAGB, I needed time to recharge my mind and spirit, see things with new, refreshed eyes, and what is most important to me, to continue to learn - and the fellowship allowed me to accomplish that and so much more. The evening spent with the Erwin Scholars was special to me because it forced me to really think about my journey, something I really don’t do too often, and how it is so important in the midst of our blessings to pay it forward.”

PUBLIC PROGRAMMES
Dr. James and her staff are working to develop a full slate of public programmes through the summer. “I would like to see some of the programmes established before I went on leave re-vitalized: The Film Programme, our Sunday Chamber Music Series in the galleries, our Issues Forums, the Saturday Workshops, Summer Concerts and the Mural Programme in particular. 

Some highlights include a major discussion series that will focus on the concept of “Bahamianization” from its political beginnings to its cultural present and a Junkanoo themed workshop. 

Master Junkanoo artist Mr. Bernard Davis (One Family) has been on staff at the NAGB for about a year and a half and the Gallery is working with him to develop an expansive workshop that will be open to the wider public. The workshop will focus on various components of Junkanoo production from building costumes and the, now perhaps old-fashioned, fringing technique to choreography and drumming.

While this is not new in the context of The Bahamas, the goal is to make all of these events as national as possible. While major events will occur at the Gallery, the NAGB is willing to work with community groups and partners who may want these programmes, especially the films, murals and workshops shown or ran in their communities.

NAD
In addition to this, the NAGB has entered into an agreement with the Nassau Airport Development Company to curate the exhibition cases at the new Lynden Pindling International Airport on a rotating basis. Artists and superior crafts persons producing three-dimensional works are asked to submit portfolios for consideration to: The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, Attention Noel Thompson.

EXHIBITIONS
The Fifth National Exhibition, a show that challenged artists to consider the environment as a point of aesthetic intervention, will come to a close on February 28, 2011. The Gallery will install a temporary exhibition of works from the National Collection as it develops an exhibition on the Artist Kendal Hanna. “Happy Birthday to Me” will open on June 25, 2011, the artist’s 75th birthday, and will feature key works from the artist’s almost sixty-year career.

OPERATIONS
The Gallery has been available for rentals in the past and will continue to on amore select basis. Several changes have been made including the rental fee structure. Additionally, no large parties and concerts outside NAGB programmes will be allowed because of the expense of such productions and the wear and tear these events have caused on this historic building. However, culturally minded events are welcome.

THE FUTURE

In mid-2010, the Director indicated her intention to accept a joint appointment at Yale University in the Departments of The History of Art and African American Studies beginning the Fall of 2011.

To this end, the NAGB will begin a hiring exercise for a new Director and curatorial and educational team that will include a curator, curatorial assistants and trainees within the next few weeks. Job descriptions for available posts along with application procedures and deadlines will be posted on the Gallery’s website. Interested parties are encouraged to apply.

The Director states: “I am confident that the Gallery will move to new heights in the coming years, and the work done in the next few months will play an integral role in helping to make this happen. We are looking for individuals with vision and talent, with a clear interest and understanding of the mission and goals of the Gallery and whose heart lies with the people of The Bahamas.”

Please browse the Gallery’s website for continuing updates: www.nagb.org.bs .  

The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas. It belongs to you.