March 7-12, 2008 – British Virgin Islands

Click here for our latest Press Release - February 28, 2008 (Word Doc - 29K)

The Caribbean Artisan Network expects a record turn out this year at the 2008 Caribbean Arts and Crafts Festival which takes place from 7 March through 12 March. Over 50 Artisans are registered from throughout the Caribbean including 11 from Trinidad alone. New to the festival are Artisans coming from as far away as the Bahamas and the USA as well as several new participants from the BVI including Coconut Republic from Virgin Gorda.

The Festivals welcome celebration on Friday 7 March which starts at 5:30pm in Trellis Bay includes a preview, food, drink, music and a dedication to one of the BVI’s Master Crafts People.

<< To download our poster, click on the image to the left (2M pdf).

The Caribbean Artisan Network is a five year old regional organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Caribbean Arts and crafts (www.caribbeanartisan.net). By creating links between artisans, the network functions to strengthen the production of traditional and innovative Caribbean Crafts, through educational workshops, marketing initiatives and skill preservation efforts.



The Artisan Network is dedicated to increasing the commercial viability of Craft as an income generator and as a crucial aspect of maintaining Caribbean cultural identity.

For the fifth year in a row, artisans from through out the Caribbean will converge on the BVI for this increasingly popular festival. Last year 12 different countries participated, bringing over fifty of the most skilled artisans in the region to the BVI. What has attracted them is a mix between unique access to the BVI’s vibrant market place and the priceless networking opportunities that are created by interaction with other crafts producers. All the participants come away with a strong feeling of fellowship, after having spent five days exchanging ideas, skills and techniques between them selves and the public. The BVI community benefits directly on many levels. Schools throughout the territory were exposed to ancient and innovative craft practices from the top artisans in the Caribbean. Shop owners and hotel buyers are able to access the best of the Caribbean’s craft products and discuss trading arrangements directly with the visiting artisans.



The beautiful beach village of Trellis Bay on Beef Island has proved to be the ideal base location for the Caribbean Arts and Crafts Festival. A thriving local arts community with art studios, a pottery, outdoor sculpture and cafe's along a shady beachfront. Trellis Bay is also one of the BVI's most popular yacht anchorages and a major transit point for resort guests, charter guests and ferry passengers heading to the airport within a 2 minute walk from the bay.

The special feature of this event is the Festival's movement around the BVI. After the first 3 days in Trellis Bay, the artisans will move to Virgin Gorda and the last day will be in Road Town.



This year the festival village in Trellis Bay will be again expanding the program to include day and night time entertainment. The village will come alive with a vibrant mix of musical entertainment; the stage will be humming with the best local and regional musicians. Fungi, Zouk, Steel pan, Reggae and Salsa sounds will energize the artisans and entertain the crowds. Artisans and musicians together hold the keys to our cultural identity and the Arts and Craft festival opens a window on the masters of Caribbean cultural creativity.

Schools from through out the territory are being invited to take this opportunity to learn from the regions top artisans, watch demonstrations and take part in the work shops that are being offered. Following on the success of last years BVI Schools Arts and Craft competition, the Festival is inviting all schools and youth groups in the BVI to submit Art work and Craft products to this year's competition. The submissions will be shown in the Festival Art gallery and prizes given to the winners.

For further information on this year's Caribbean Arts and Crafts Festival please contact:
us:caribbeanartisan@gmail.com or Aragorn Dick-Read dreadeye@surfbvi.com

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Download printable POSTER!

Printable Flyer

Artisan Registration 2008

Sponsorship Info 2008

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Email Us at caribbeanartisan@gmail.com


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