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BAC NEWSLETTER The Official Newsletter of the Barbados Arts Council
Above:"New Dawn" by Lorna B. Wilson - mixed media artwork depicting Sargassum Seaweed
POP-UP GALLERY AT SIFF On Friday, June 28th and Saturday, June 29th,
The BIDC was one of the partners working
2019 the Pelican Craft Centre and Trevor’s Way
with the above-mentioned agencies towards
area was the stage of the Small Island Future
the success of this two-day festival. The
Festival (SIFF).
project coordinators of SIFF invited Tenants
SIFF is the flagship initiative of the Global
of the Centre to be a part of the festival
Environmental Facility Small Grants Programme
activities, and specifically asked the BAC
implemented by UNDP in collaboration with the
whether we could host a special art
Future Centre Trust and the BlueGreen
exhibition during the two-day period, which
Initiative. The festival, under the patronage of
would celebrate the Blue & Green
the Governor General, was promoted as “fun,
economies.
futuristic and interactive” and integrated the
Due to the fact that the BAC Art Gallery
sustainable development goals creatively to
was already rented during that period to the
raise awareness, while featuring what it means
St. Michael’s School Old Scholars for an
to live sustainably in a Small Island through the
exhibition of their own, we explained that
use of food, fashion, art, film, poetry, music,
we would only be able to display a few art
dance, theatre, applied science and real world
pieces on the verandah. However, after
live demonstrations. The festival’s tagline was
much discussion, the festival organisers
“Small Islands, Big Future”.
were able to negotiate with the BIDC to let /cont'd...
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Pop-Up Gallery at SIFF the BAC use Shop #19 (located next door to our gallery) for the two days of the festival, and the BAC was able to stage a quickly put-together a “Pop-Up Art Gallery” during SIFF. Following are some photos of the environmentally-inspired artwork in that exhibition.
Photos on this page give a peep at the pieces on display in the Pop-Up Gallery at the Small Island Future Festival.
Above: Artist Alex Marshall in action. His painting was displayed in our exhibition and sold via silent auction at SIFF. Photo by Nick Hurley of Salt Life Media.
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Pop-Up Gallery at SIFF The artwork of several BAC members (past and present) was shown at this Pop-Up exhibiton, including Alex Daniel, Allan Ashby, Fielding Babb, Glenroy Jordan, Jill McIntyre, John Carter, Julia Seymour, Juliette Clarke, Lorna B. Wilson, Margo Gunby, Markley Clarke, Neville Legall, Jhan Patricia Brown, Petra Emmanuel,and Susan Heitz. The exhibition was very well received by the patrons of SIFF.
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Featured Artist: Lorna B. Wilson Lorna B. Wilson stepped away from the business world, where she and her husband, John, started an auto parts distribution business, to raise her three children. During this time she painted occasionally, but it it took on a burning intensity when her children started to “fly the coop” and itʼs then that she decided to explore her God given talent. She honed her skills under the tutelage of renowned artists Heidi Berger and Ariel Lyons and dedicated herself to being a full time artist. Her art is now displayed in many galleries around the island. Lorna believes that the world of art is open to being explored and therefore she paints everything under the sun. However, Lorna has a special love for painting fish and underwater life and so was dubbed “the fish artist”. She says, "I do prefer marine type themes and love painting fish. I also enjoy painting
Above: Artist Lorna B. Wilson
figurative images like children and mothers with their children. Iʼm drawn to painting fish and
language thatʼs free and gentle, and children have an
children because they both have a natural body
innocence that I find quite appealing. Anyway, I donʼt like being placed in a box so I paint whatever inspires me at the moment." Lorna feels blessed to have been born and be still living on a beautiful tropical island, like her native Barbados.
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Featured Artist: Lorna B. Wilson She revels in the magnificent colours and interesting people that inhabit her birth land, so sheʼs easily inspired. She opens her doors to the sea lapping on the shore, people strolling on the beach, fishermen hauling their nets or parents taking their children for a dip. So much activity surrounds the sea so she naturally paints what she sees. Recently, Lorna has been using the palette knife more and sometimes exploring with finger painting and poured paints. She likes the more textured look of the palette knife and the surreal imagery of her more recent scenic paintings. She says, "I believe I was designed to create. Being creative isnʼt difficult when one lives on such a beautiful island. I find beauty and inspiration in the simplest of things. I think of my Sargassum series as an example. We all know that the sargassum seaweed isnʼt welcomed on our shores but yet I see something beautiful in the way it glistens on the water before it makes landfall." In 2014 Lorna won a bronze medal in the National NIFCA competition and in 2015 she also won an incentive award in the Crop Over Visual Arts competition. She has shown her art in numerous exhibitions and can honestly say that her art is in many homes and business places to show her work in a group exhibition to raise funds for the throughout the island and abroad. relief effort in Haiti, she sold all her paintings and this has “I like to give back to my community and encouraged her to look for ways to help disadvantaged and look for ways I can use my art to do so”, abused children. She uses art as a means of allowing them to she often says. In 2010 Lorna was invited channel their energy into creativity, giving them an avenue to escape their reality and also see their potential. She also sells her art and donates a percentage to various charities. Lorna knows that she was destined to use her art to reach others on a deeper level and aims to touch lives in this way. One of her favourite quotes is, "To whom much is given, of him much is expected". /cont'd...
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Featured Artist: Lorna B. Wilson Lorna believes the art scene in Barbados is vibrant. "Thereʼs always something happening and thatʼs great for artists in a small community like ours. At least we get to show what weʼre doing even though buyers are few. Like everywhere else, artists here have their challenges. The artist's journey isnʼt an easy one, and in a small economy itʼs even more noticeable as itʼs so difficult to find work in art related fields, as there are not that many available. No wonder why many artists are forced to find other income. Itʼs not surprising either that friends and family discourage this profession. Artists here have to keep reinventing themselves and this can be very discouraging. The price of art material is so expensive and therefore artists have to take this into consideration whilst pricing their work. As a result, the cost of producing art and presenting it in a marketable way can be prohibitive. On the other hand, Iʼm seeing artists whoʼve overcome these challenges to pursue their passion and make a successful living while doing so." When asked about future plans, Lorna replied, "Iʼm a dreamer so thereʼs always something circulating in my head. I have short term and long term plans. My long term goal is to combine my artistic ability with my love for healthy cooking so I keep this dream close to my heart." On this page are more of Lorna's artworks.
Here are some examples of how creative minds continue to use Mr Prescod's design today:
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Young Artists - An Exhibition "Young Artists" is an art exhibition by recent graduates of the Barbados Community College Fine Arts Division. Curated by Kathy Yearwood, the exhibition focuses on emerging female artists under age 30. The Young Artists have showcased their talents using a variety of media: Simone Asia - pen & ink; Jadisa A. Andwele - acrylics; Theresa Bailey - ink on paper; Keisha Carrington acrylics; Joanna Crichlow - acrylics; Doreen Edwards - acrylics & mixed media; Alanis Aaliyah Forde -oils; Anna Gibson - acrylics; Versia Abeda Harris - mixed media sculpture; Nyssa Haynes-Holder - acrylics; Tiffani Forde mixed media; Gabrielle Moore - mixed media installation; Akilah Watts - acrylics; Karen Birch - acrylics; Sade Phoenix - coloured pencil on paper; Shari Phoenix - watercolour; Sheri AnnMarie Nicholls - acrylics & oils; Cindy Walker - photography on canvas; and Kia Redman - pen & ink on paper. Kathy Yearwood commented, "Every year I look forward to the Graduates' exhibition, amazed by the quality and diversity. But after that they are seldom seen again. Some fly, some find their wings early, but they all need help as they set out. Too many drift away and with the promise of the long awaited National Gallery, we can’t afford to lose them. This is the first of a series of exhibitions to give them a chance to become known to a much wider public.� The exhibition runs until August 24, 2019.
Doreen Edwards with her mixed media piece "Too Too"
Below: landscapes in acrylic by Sheri AnnMarie Nicholls
/cont'd...
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Young Artists - An Exhibition
Above: Alanis Forde with her oil painting "Paradisiacal" Right: Anna Gibson with her acrylic creation "Rebirth 1"
Above: Akilah Watts shows off natural hairstyles in acrylics Right: Jadisa A. Andwele and her acrylic portraits
/cont'd...
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Young Artists - An Exhibition
Above: Joanna Crichlow and her black birds in acrylic Top right: Cindy Walker shows off her photography on canvas Bottom right: Theresa Bailey with her ink on paper collection Bottom left: portraits in acrylic "Just Jude" and "Gran and de Boys" by Keisha Carrington
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Young Artists - An Exhibition
This exhibition is an uplifting experience that should not be missed by art lovers. Above: Alanis Forde with "A Proxy of My Mental Landscape" Right: Doyennes of the local visual arts scene attended the opening reception, showing their support for the younger generation
BAC Member Benefits The BAC’s primary purpose is to nurture the artistic expression of creatives in Barbados. If you are an artist who wants to learn, share ideas, and contribute to the growth of Arts as a viable sector in Barbados, then you should join the Arts Council. We also welcome persons who appreciate art but who may not be artistically inclined, and who want to add their other talents and time to help nurture the visual arts in Barbados. Apart from the satisfaction of assisting the Council in achieving its goals, here are some of the benefits that BAC members enjoy: 1. Members can participate in any BAC group show without paying hanging fees! (up to 3 pieces per person) 2. New and emerging artists get the opportunity to show their artwork and gain experience at the BAC gallery when they might not yet gain access to other galleries 3. The BAC gallery commission is only 30%! (considerably less than other galleries) 4. Members get a 5% discount when they purchase art supplies from Laurie Dash & Sons 5. Get a 5% - 10% discount on selected items from The Art Hub Visit the Gallery and apply for membership today. An annual fee of Bds $100 is applicable. Art Students (secondary school and BCC) are eligible for a student membership fee of Bds $50 per year.
BAC Art Gallery hours: Mon-Fri 10am to 5pm, and Sat 10am to 1pm #20 Pelican Craft Centre, Harbour Road, Bridgetown Tel: (246) 426-4385
Email: thebarbadosartscouncil@gmail.com
www.thebarbadosartscouncil.com