Minister for Grand Bahama, Dr. the Hon. Michael Darville on Thursday urged all stakeholders involved to make the Grand Bahama Arts and Craft Centre a success during the official opening ceremony. Shown from left in the front row are: the Hon. Dion Smith, Executive Chairman, BAIC; Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources the Hon. V. Alfred Gray; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Urban Development the Hon. Philip Davis. Shown in the back row are: Troy Sampson, General Manager, BAIC; and Clay Sweeting, Deputy Chairman, BAIC.
Minister for Grand Bahama, Dr. the Hon. Michael Darville, on Thursday, February 4, 2015, urged all stakeholders to work together to make the Arts and Crafts Centre a success.
Minister Darville made these remarks during the official opening of the facility, which is located on East Sunrise Highway.
Minister Darville said the facility which is managed by the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC), was acquired by the Government in 2011. In October 2014, a contract was signed with the Patrick McDonald Construction Company for the completion of the construction and retrofitting of the facility.
The purpose of the Centre is to allow locals and visitors to Grand Bahama to experience Bahamian culture first hand.
“This Arts and Crafts Centre will positively impact the revitalisation and promotion of Grand Bahama by offering a new attraction for the island; a place where tourists and locals can have an authentic Bahamian cultural experience. Now completed, it is anticipated that this Centre will be included on the itineraries of our operators in Freeport; an attraction at which visitors can have a cultural experience, and observe Bahamian production of locally produced authentic Bahamian arts and crafts. This facility will also be used for the packaging and housing of Bahamian crafts and showcase and sale, thus creating entrepreneurial opportunities for local artisans.”
He added, “As Minister for Grand Bahama, I realise that the turnaround of the Grand Bahama’s economy requires a systematic and unified approach.” He invited the stakeholders, namely BAIC, The Ministry of Tourism, The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce, The Grand Bahama Port Authority and The Grand Bahama Craft Association to work together to ensure the Centre is a success.
Executive Chairman of BAIC, the Hon. Dion D. Smith, said as the youngest appointed chairman of BAIC, he would like to thank the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie, for having faith and confidence in the youth of the nation.
With the Centre now officially opened Mr. Smith said, “We have the potential as a people to produce Bahamian handicraft products not only for the local market here in Grand Bahama but indeed for the international market as well. I say this because I know this to be true. It was only a few months ago that the more than $70,000 worth of Bahamian made handicrafts products were shipped to a company called El Puente in Germany. The artisans and their work got exposure that was priceless.”
This can be done again, continued Mr. Smith, as he has high hopes for the artisans in Grand Bahama. He encouraged them to shoot for the stars.
"You my friends are the guardians of our culture you must ensure that the knowledge you have is passed down to the next generation of Bahamians, just as it was passed down to you. This culture must live on for future generations."
Officially opening the Centre was the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Urban Development the Hon. Philip Davis. Also present were the Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources the Hon. V. Alfred Gray; Clay Sweeting, Deputy Chairman, BAIC; Peter Turnquest, Member of Parliament for East Grand Bahama and Deputy Leader of the FNM; Senators and Permanent Secretaries.
By Robyn Adderley | Bahamas Information Services
Executive Chairman of BAIC, the Hon. Dion Smith, is seen demonstrating how straw is sewn at the official opening ceremony of the Grand Bahama Arts and Crafts Centre on Thursday. Shown looking on are: Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources the Hon. V. Alfred Gray; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Urban Development the Hon. Philip Davis; Minister for Grand Bahama Dr. the Hon. Michael Darville; and Melvin Seymour, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Grand Bahama. (BIS photos/Vandyke Hepburn)
