THE
CARIBBEAN ARTISAN NETWORK
From
ancient times the Caribbean has been home to generations of Craft based
cultures. The earliest inhabitants whether Ciboney, Lucayan ,Taino or
Kalinago –Carib have all sustained their way of life through the universal
activity of transforming natural materials into culturally significant
creations.
 
Early
art forms embodied the spirits of an animistic religion in clay,
stone or shell carvings, later, plantation era crafts with European
and African influences supplied practical utensils for daily life
such as cooking pots, baskets and straw hats. Today the artisans
are producing a broad range of work for local and tourist consumption,
from calabash hand bags to carved coconut turtles and bird feeders.
The
production ,exchange and distribution of hand crafted goods has
been one of the roots of cultural identity in all civilizations
.For the Caribbean our identity is embedded in our island environments
, our multi ethnic population and our cultural creativity.

In
an effort to preserve traditional craft practices, inspire new innovations
and expand regional and international markets a new network of Artisans
has emerged. Linking craft producers by means of a website and a
data-base throughout the Caribbean from Guyana to Belize.
The
Network aims to function on many levels:
For
the Artisans the Caribbean Artisan Network offers a regional forum
to connect with fellow producers to share experiences, knowledge
and resources. Whether it be finding raw materials or discussing
details of techniques, a personal link between craft workers is
invaluable .The teaching and demonstrating of skills is being accomplished
through inter-island workshops.

In
June 2004 ancient pottery making techniques were reintroduced into
the Carib Territory of Dominca, by Irene Alphonse, a Carib descent
potter from St Lucia, during the same workshop traditional pole
lathe furniture making was introduced by another St Lucian Carib,
Emanuel Alphonse. Demonstrations of ecological jewelery making by
Akilah Jaramogi of Trinidad have taken place in Tortola and Barbados
and calabash carving has been taught in the Virgin Islands by the
Dominican carver Ezekiel Jean Babtiste. It is these kinds of exchanges
that preserves and disseminates knowledge as well as giving new
energy to our craft culture.
For
hotels, gift shops and interior designers the Artisan Network is
an ideal way of connecting with regional artisans. For us the word
“local” means the Caribbean. Our identity is shamed and our visitors
disappointed when they find shops full of crafts from the Far East.
Buying crafts through the network helps to build our region. And
there is nothing healthier for the Caribbean economy than inter-island
trade.

For
Governments the Artisan Network can provide an excellent base from
which to source skilled artisans for educational purposes and culturally
significant events .Schools and Colleges through out the region
can use the network for invaluable access to Artisans who can teach
skills to the next generation. .An understanding of historical continuity
and a sense of cultural identity give the youth incredible strength
to face the challenges of the globalized world.
For
the Media the Caribbean Artisan Network offers a unique and convenient
resource base for both the print and film industries. Travel magazines,
guide books and film companies who are looking for cultural content
in their productions can get a special insight into the region through
a link with the Artisans.
In
an effort to help promote and finance the Caribbean Artisan Network
a six part television series is currently being produced, entitled
“The Power of Craft”. The focus of the series will be an island
by island documentary study of the living Craft Culture of the Caribbean.
An on going campaign to attract business sponsorship for the network
is underway.

The
Caribbean Artisan Network has high hopes of helping regional institutions
to benefit from association with the artisans of the Caribbean
,as well as assisting the Artisans in their efforts to make a living
from their talents , in a sustainable relationship with nature.
We believe in the power of craft to creatively counter the homogenization
of culture and to give Caribbean people cultural pride and identity
in the wider world.

FOR
MORE INFORMATION OR TO JOIN THE CARIBBEAN ARTISAN NETWORK
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