The Ministry of Tourism’s 10th annual two-day Authentically Bahamian Christmas Craft and Souvenir Show opens on December 3 in the ballroom foyer of the Wyndam Resort and Crystal Palace Casino, from 9am-5pm on Friday and 11 a.m. οΎ– 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Featuring creations depicting the Bahamian experience, more than 70 artisans from New Providence and the Family Islands will show off their wares before an international audience in what is being billed as “the best yet.”
The show has been a hit with tourists, hoteliers, merchants, and gift-seeking Bahamians especially this time of the year.
“There will be something there for everybody,” said Rowena Rolle, general manager, Authentically Bahamian Department of the Ministry of Tourism.
“This is our biggest show for the year. And every year for the past ten years we have been very, very successful.”
The show will headline Cacique Award winners Wendy Kelly’s straw work, and Anastacia Charlow with her ‘Little Locals’ wire creations, veteran sculptor and best product award winner Nick Austin, Sheryl Roberts and Tina’s Design with Christmas tree ornaments, and Bahamas Food Packages and Kirk Deleveaux in the food category.
Providing the usual treat would be Franklyn Jolly’s conch shell work; Miralee Rose in seashells; Kathy Laing’s ornaments in straw; Elsie Knowles’ straw work; Patrona Coakley baskets and lamps; Christina Maillis’ banana dolls, Caleb Outten’s candle creations depicting underwater scenes; and Hal Taylor’s high fashion hand bags.
In showcasing Bahamian made gifts and souvenirs, the Ministry of Tourism is seeking to create linkages between the tourism sector and the economy. This show coincides with the annual general meeting of the Bahamas Hotel Association.
“Some time ago our Director General observed that there are things tourists would like to buy that is Bahamian but we had problems trying to find Bahamian products for the tourist market,” said Ms Rolle.
“Thus the birth of this department. Our main objective is to reduce the need for imported souvenirs.
“We have been successful, especially in the hospitality industry. The quality of the product has improved significantly.
“We have partnered with Atlantis Resort in organizing shows for their guests throughout the year.
“We have seen craft people graduate from working from their homes to being shop owners at the Welcome Centre on Prince George Dock.
“Others have become store owners at hotels. Several artists were Cacique Award recipients. We have artisans whose works are displayed at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC.”
Bahamian artisans have their web sites, many have made the headlines in international and local publications, and the Ministry of Tourism featured many of them in a special brochure.
“Our main key here is quality,” said Ms Rolle. “The product must be attractive and durable and something visitors want to buy. And we want visitors to leave with something memorable.
“We try to get as many tourists as possible to visit the show because this is one area they do not see every time they come to the Bahamas. But a lot of these products can be seen at the Welcome Centre on Prince George Dock. That is an outlet for Bahamian products.”
In an effort to help Family Islanders refine their products, workshops have been held this year in the Berry Islands, Exuma and Andros.
A “very successful” jewelery making workshop was held in October in New Providence. Products resulting from that will be featured at the show, said Ms Rolle.
“Visitors love jewelery and they love straw items, and we have two of the most popular items visitors buy,” she added. “Sometimes the problems is we cannot keep up with the demands and that could be a challenge.
“Visitors always want something that is Bahamian. A lot of the Family Island hotels, especially the smaller properties, are very, very particular about going Bahamian.
“Schools often ask for artisans to do demonstrations, to get students involved at an early age, which I think is very good.”
Even Bahamians are rediscovering the beauty of straw work, snapping up fashionable ladies hand bags, ornaments, and at this time of the year Junkanoo dolls and Christmas tree decorations.
“The Bahamian product has improved,” she insisted. “I have been hearing very encouraging comments from the hotel operators.
“They say that every year the show is getting bigger and better. They see better quality products. A lot of them have created linkages with the artisans.
“The hotels and souvenir stores are saying artisans need mass production. And that is the next level where we have to take this sector. Volume. The product is already at the quality where we want it to be and we will continue to insist on quality.
“But we have to get into mass production. A few of the manufacturers can mass produce. But that’s not sufficient.”
The third Phase of Kerzner International’s expansion on Paradise Island will include outlets for authentic Bahamian items. Already, many Bahamian artisans featured at the show applied and were accepted to operate there.
“This industry is growing,” said Ms Rolle.
Gladstone Thurston, The Bahamas Information Services
