Local artisans will now be able to easier access the global market thanks to the BVI London Office. Photo: VINO

Local artisan Reuben Vanterpool giving remarks at the opening of the Caribbean Arts and Crafts Festival 2012. At right is Aragorn Dick-Read, left is Governor Boyd McCleary and 2nd from left is the Duke of Gloucester His Highness Prince Richard. Photo: VINO

Mr. Vanterpool was referring to the partnership among local artists, the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) and the BVI London Office, which was officially established on February 20, 2012 at a planning meeting between London Office Director Mr. Kedrick Malone and 26 artists at the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports’ conference room.

The meeting was held in advance of the upcoming BVI Art and Culture Show at BVI House in London in July.

The objective of the collaboration was to expose local artists to new strategies in developing their talent and business skills to prepare them for the United Kingdom (UK) market through workshops and lectures.

London Office Director Kedrick Malone had told the media that the overall goal of the planned activities is to expand the marketability of Virgin Islands art locally, regionally and internationally and to make initiatives like the “BVI Art and Culture exhibition” in London profitable for the artists and self-funding.

Mr. Vanterpool, speaking at the opening of the Caribbean Arts and Crafts Festival at Trellis Bay on March 9, 2012, said there are some 80 local artists and that include the fulltime and part time artisans.

He also said local artisans are involved in a diverse range of activities including painting, digital arts, photography, pottery, sculpture, textile fabrics, fashion design and glassblowing.

“Because the local market is very small and most of us are not yet in the global market it is necessary for us all to be very versatile so it has become a norm for an artist around here to be skilled in three or more areas. I believe that the involvement of each of us in a number of creative activities is an important element that will help to propel us into the global market,” Mr. Vanterpool remarked.

The one-week Caribbean Arts and Craft Festival has drawn artisans from all over the Caribbean and even South America as Venezuela is also represented.