The Caribbean Artisan Network
presents
March 4th - 9th , 2011 British Virgin Islands
ARTISANS:
Bookings must be made in the Call Centre number
1-284-542-0586. Click
here for more flight, baggage and BVI CUSTOMS information.
The Caribbean Artisan Network, The BVI
Tourist Board, The Moorings, LIAT Airline and the British
Virgin Islands Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association [BVICCHA],
is proud to be hosting what has become the biggest Artisan
Festival of its kind in the region. For the seventh year in
a row, this increasingly popular cultural event brings together
artisans from through out the Caribbean to display, sell and
demonstrate their crafts at a variety of locations in the
beautiful British Virgin Islands.
VISION & MISSION
The Caribbean Artisan Network is a six year old BVI registered
Non Profit Organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation
of Caribbean Arts and Crafts (more info on 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.
WHO BENEFITS
Last year 15 different countries participated, bringing over
fifty of the most skilled artisans in the region to the BVI
and over 1,000 visitors.
Artisans
have unique access to the BVIs vibrant market place and the
priceless networking opportunities that are created by interaction
with other crafts producers. An award ceremony will take place
to recognize their achievements.
The
BVI Community is exposed to
ancient and innovative craft practices from regions top artisans.
Traditional music and dance and Caribbean food make this festival
an educational and exciting family day out.
BVI
Schools are offered free space
for students to display Arts and Crafts in the 'Youth Artisan'
tent (contact us for info!).
Shop
and Boutique Buyers are able to access the best of
the Caribbean's craft products and discuss trading arrangements
directly with the visiting artisans. The
Tourism Industry benefits directly from the far reaching
press exposure about the Festival and the BVI: each year many
articles appear in international travel publications, in-flight
magazines, newspapers and on the web.
VENUES & EVENTS
The special features of this years event include the Welcome
and Dedication
Ceremony one of Tortola's
most prolific Artists, the First Annual Fashion Show, all
day and evening entertainment, and of course, the Festival's
movement around the BVI: three days in Trellis Bay, followed
by Virgin Gorda with the final day in Road Town,
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 15 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,
a fashion show, a Fireball Full Moon Party and an opening
ceremony as well as special awards.
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: dreadeye@surfbvi.com
|
EACH
MONTH, CT&L PROFILES ONE OF OUR ARTISANS. READ MORE
ABOUT
DOWNLOAD
CENTRE 
