Forest Heights Academy student Journey Higgs plays the guitar and sings, on March 15, 2018, during the E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival Adjudications, in Marsh Harbour, Abaco. That day marked the first combined-school Abaco adjudications, with some seven private and public schools gathered at St. John the Baptist Anglican Parish Hall for almost 30 music, dance and drama performances. (MOYSC/BIS Photo: Eric Rose)

St. Francis de Sales Catholic School students form a singing ensemble, on March 15, 2018, during the E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival Adjudications, in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, at St. John the Baptist Anglican Parish Hall, (MOYSC/BIS Photo: Eric Rose)

Central Abaco Primary School students sing an inspirational song, on March 15, 2018, during the E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival Adjudications, in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, at St. John the Baptist Anglican Parish Hall. (MOYSC/BIS Photo: Eric Rose)

Patrick J. Bethel High School student Jade McKenzie belts out her version of Whitney Houston's "I Believe in You and Me," on March 15, 2018, during the E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival Adjudications, in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, at St. John the Baptist Anglican Parish Hall. (MOYSC/BIS Photo: Eric Rose)

More than 40 paintings from collections in Nassau traveled to South Florida to form the major part of the exhibition “Celebrate: Art of The Bahamas.”

The exhibition was the result of the collaboration between the Elliott Museum in Stuart, Florida and the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas and featured Bahamian paintings from the National collection as well as works from The D’Aguilar Art Foundation and the Dawn Davies collection, all of which complimented paintings of The Bahamas by South Florida artists Jerry Rose, Howard Schafer and Stephen Scott Young.

The exhibit, two years in the making, was the result of friendships between members of the Nassau and Florida art communities. It opened in December 2017 to a group of art enthusiasts from the surrounding counties. On opening night audience of more than 200 attendees were treated to a special artist’s talk and demonstration of block printing by Master Bahamian Artist, Max Taylor. 

This was the first time a Bahamian themed show has been held at the Elliott and it exposed a new audience to the historical perspective of the growth of paintings of The Bahamas. Initially only itinerant artists who visited the ‘sunny isles’ painted the brilliant landscapes and Bahamian life. These earlier paintings from the late 19th – mid 20th centuries are an historical record of past years and it is educational to see them juxtaposed to the work of the Bahamian artists of a post-independence Bahamas and finally the work of current American painters.

Amanda Coulson, Director of the NAGB stated: “We were honored to help coordinate this international exhibit and to share the growth of our national art scene with our near neighbors in South Florida”. Jenny Esler, the Executive Director of the Elliott Museum stated she was overwhelmed with the range and quality of the Bahamian work. “This exhibit certainly has been a celebration of the Bahamian spirit as seen through the individual artists’ eyes” she added.

Pam Burnside, widow of the Bahamian Master Artist, Jackson Burnside III, visited the exhibition in February and presented an in depth gallery talk to the Museum’s patrons about the various artworks on display. The Exhibition also formed the backdrop for local Martin County’s educator, Thelma Washington’s presentation in honor of National Black History Month.

The Exhibition closed on 25 February 2018.

 

Over the years, Bahamian Art & Culture has featured the work of innovative inter-disciplinary artist Anina Major, who primarily works with clay. She studied at The College of The Bahamas, earned a Bachelors Degree in Graphic Design from Drexel University and has recently graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design’s MFA Ceramics programme. We are honoured to feature her most recent body of work that was created specifically for her graduate thesis. It is entitled “In The Marketplace” (2017). She describes this body of work as a return to the inspirational source. In her search of the place that articulates the essence of her practice, Anina returns to a metaphorical place where there is an abundance of creative freedom and an authentic expression of diasporic connections. A place that holds a fascination for people of all cultures and one that functions as a place for exchange where all things find their place and is intended to facilitate transactional relationships between people. Understanding Anina’s ethos as an artist is rooted in where she is from. The decision to voluntarily establish a home contrary to the location in which she was born and raised motivated Anina to investigate the relationship between self and place and to further explore her own migration and the emotional complexities that surface, with a desire to fabricate terms of cultural integrity and its defining influence... [Read more in Smith & Benjamin's 'Bahamian Art & Culture']

Over the years, Bahamian Art & Culture has featured the work of innovative inter-disciplinary artist Anina Major, who primarily works with clay. She studied at The College of The Bahamas, earned a Bachelors Degree in Graphic Design from Drexel University and has recently graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design’s MFA Ceramics programme. We are honoured to feature her most recent body of work that was created specifically for her graduate thesis. It is entitled “In The Marketplace” (2017).

She describes this body of work as a return to the inspirational source. In her search of the place that articulates the essence of her practice, Anina returns to a metaphorical place where there is an abundance of creative freedom and an authentic expression of diasporic connections. A place that holds a fascination for people of all cultures and one that functions as a place for exchange where all things find their place and is intended to facilitate transactional relationships between people.

Understanding Anina’s ethos as an artist is rooted in where she is from. The decision to voluntarily establish a home contrary to the location in which she was born and raised motivated Anina to investigate the relationship between self and place and to further explore her own migration and the emotional complexities that surface, with a desire to fabricate terms of cultural integrity and its defining influence... [Read more in Smith & Benjamin's 'Bahamian Art & Culture']

 

 

The Bahamian Project will host a Fundraising Auction on Thursday, May 4th at Antonius Robert's Hillside House, from 6:00PM to 9:00PM.

The Auction will be held to raise funds for printing and framing of images for the upcoming exhibition at the Central Bank Gallery in July. The public is invited to preview selected art on exhibit starting at 6:00PM the evening of the Auction.

Works include pieces created by local artists supporting the Bahamian Project. To date, original artworks have been donated by Caroline Anderson, Chantal Bethel, Nicole Collie, John Cox, Tania Delmonte, Dwight Ferguson, Guilden Gilbert, John Gynell, Kendal Hanna, Nowe Harris-Smith, Monty Knowles, Toby Lunn, Dorothy Miller, Navarro Newton, Judith Papillon, Rashad Penn, Alexia Roach, Antonius Roberts, Harry Rolle, Jamaal Rolle, Heino Schmid, Charlie Smith, Kim Smith, Alistair Stevenson, Allan Pacino Wallace, Angelika Wallace-Whitfield, Ana-Lisa Wells, Duke Wells, Eleanor Whitely and others.

"We're so thankful for the support of our local art community," noted Duke Wells, founder and Creative Director of The Bahamian Project.

This colourful evening will offer the participants the opportunity to purchase exceptional works of art while meeting artists, photographers and portrait subjects whose lives define Bahamian society.

Bahamian Project team photographers and contributing artists are invited to attend and will receive one complimentary ticket to the event. Thus, guests will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with many of the people involved in The Bahamian Project, as well as with the artists whose work is being auctioned.

"The event is a marvelous opportunity to acquire some great art while enjoying good company and meet the people of the Bahamian Project, both the ones in front of the camera and behind the camera," added Mr. Wells.

The evening will begin with a festive Reception Preview at 6:00PM. Guests will enjoy wine, beverages, hors d'oeuvres and musical entertainment.

At 7:00pm, auctioneer Jay Koment will conduct a LIVE auction featuring spectacular paintings, sculptures, jewellery, ceramic art, drawings and other high-interest items, such as; a Body Painting & Photo Shoot by Monty Knowles, a Classic B/W Themed Portrait Session with Duke of Nassau and a Family Portrait session from Rashad Penn.

Additional desirable items from local businesses will be available at a Silent Auction table and fabulous door prizes will be handed out.

Tickets are $40 per person. Part of the art auction proceeds will go to the contributing artists and part will be donated to the Bahamian Project to help pay for printing and framing of images for the upcoming exhibition at the Central Bank Gallery in July.

For more information or to purchase advance tickets, please call 242-477-7478 or visit http://www.bahamianproject.com/auction.

The Bahamian Project is an apolitical, community-based art/history/culture initiative. Created by Duke & Lisa Wells in 2012 its mission is to capture the character and preserve the legacy of the people who embody the heart and soul of our nation.

Bahamian Project photographers are proud to be recording this time in the history of The Bahamas for Bahamians and others to foster and enjoy forever.

Painting by Kendal Hanna - Acrylic on Canvas

Drawing by Harry Rolle - Pencil on Paper

Ceramic Necklace by Alistair Stevenson