Bahamian Pride Showcase (Photo: Doongalik Studios)
Doongalik Studios has been contracted by the Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) to curate the twelve display showcases located in the US Departure Lounge and along the arrivals corridors at Nassau's Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) with the amazing works of Bahamian artists and artisans. The overall theme for the displays is "....more than sun, sand and sea".
Doongalik owner, Pam Burnside who is responsible for the installations, stated, "Doongalik Studios would like to thank NAD for this tremendous opportunity to showcase the amazing talent of our local artists -not only for the benefit of our visitors, but also for our local travellers who are able to view the rich artistic traditions that we have in this country. We want the public to know that The Bahamas does indeed have so much more to offer in the creative fields. With Creative Nassau having recently obtained the prestigious UNESCO designation for the City of Nassau as a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Arts, it is important to show the extent of Bahamian creativity, and the LPIA venue is the ideal location to do so!”
“Doongalik Studios has done a wonderful job of curating a beautiful, All-Bahamian art exhibit within Lynden Pindling International Airport. We are honoured to promote our local artists and display the abundance of amazing talent in The Bahamas,” stated Jan Knowles, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Nassau Airport Development Company Ltd.
Bahama Hand Prints 50th anniversary featured showcase (Photo: Donald Knowles)
The various graphic designs of the brightly coloured decals were created by P. Neko Meicholas, and were installed by The Sign Man. The decals add that extra special tropical touch that is definitely eye catching and attractive. The first rotation was displayed from April to June 2016 with the works of over 40 artists and artisans. Bahama Hand Prints had the initial honour of occupying a dedicated showcase to feature the products of this hand screen-printing company started by the late Helen Astarita and Berta Sands that is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year.
The second rotation was recently completed just in time for the celebration of The Bahamas' 43rd Independence Anniversary on July 10. The showcases have been changed for the next three months to reflect the country's pride in the workmanship of its skilled artists and artisans under the overall theme 'BAHAMIAN PRIDE'. This exhibition features the works of approximately 58 artists, showing the wide range of Bahamian talent including fabrics, sculpture, food, literature, music, sculpture, jewelry, clothing, children’s toys, junkanoo, strawcraft, recycled products, and so much more which allows the public to grasp the wide range of products that the creative economy can embrace.
In this iteration, the Androsia Batik Factory,located on the Family Island of Andros and founded by the Birch Family, is being featured as the company that was formed decades ago during the country's independence. It is still producing its well-known, brightly coloured hand-made batik fabrics and clothing, and is now being run by third generation members of the Birch family.
For ease of information the LPIA and Doongalik bar-codes are included on the decals, and further information can be found on the Doongalik website www.doongalik.com under ‘LPIA Airport Displays’. The public is invited to post their comments and suggestions on the website and facebook pages.
Androsia Batik Factory featured showcase (Photo: Doongalik Studios)
Showcase featuring Bahamian Art, Literature and Films (Photo: Donald Knowles)
Bahamian products made from recycled materials (Photo: Doongalik Studios)
Bahamian Pride Showcase (Photo: Doongalik Studios)
By Pamela Burnside
