Culture

Reflections on show at Gallery

Central Bank Crop Over Exhibition salutes 50 years

The 50th anniversary of Barbados’ premier cultural festival is as good a time as any to reflect on its growth, its impact, what it means to the people, and how it has been able to breakdown existing borders among them.

During this milestone golden anniversary of the festival, which falls within the Season of Emancipation, the Central Bank of Barbados Crop Over Visual Arts Exhibition takes centrestage.

CEO of the NCF Carol Roberts (left) and Governor of the Central Bank Dr Kevin Greendige chatting during the official opening of this year’s exhibition.

The art being showcased in the series of three exhibitions at Queen’s Park Gallery under the overarching theme of “Diffusing Borders in Colour, Motion and Form” is “structured differently”.

Reflections is the title of the first exhibition which opened to the public on May 25. It closes on June 22 and the public is being invited to view it at the Queen’s Park Gallery, Monday to Saturday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

The National Cultural Foundation’s Curator Oneka Small said this time around instead of an open call for artists, the pieces in this one focus on the work selected from national and a private collection.

*The exhibition showcases 50 years of art in tribute to the Crop Over Festival.*

“In this show, which is all collections, we’ve highlighted the past Crop Over winners from the Central Bank collection and they form the bulk of the collection that we have mounted. Along with that, we’ve included the work from the Barbados National Art Gallery, the Barbados Gallery of Art and Kathy Yearwood. This first show is like a look back at what went before and to highlight some of top work through the years,” said Small.

The Curator also stated that over the last two years the focus of the Central Bank of Barbados Crop Over Visual Arts Exhibition was on trauma, slavery, the period of enslavement, and looking back. Reflections embodies the principles of Sankofa, one of which is looking back to look ahead.

“This year we wanted to look at where we are and determine how we could go forward as a multicultural society and so, we incorporated this into our planning. In executing those plans we took another step because we wanted to see how we could not only have the art but the collaborations and how we could diffuse borders by working together.

“The Barbados Gallery of Art, the Barbados National Art Gallery and the Central Bank have work in storage that’s not normally seen and we wanted to showcase it so people could see the work the different institutions and an individual have been doing for the good of art in Barbados, vis-à-vis collecting art,” Small said.

Seeing the idea come alive in Reflections which spans five decades, has been “a really good experience,” she added. The work includes a variety of art such as paintings, drawings, ceramics and mixed media centred around the theme.

The second exhibition – Contemporary Offerings – officially opens later this month and while it is based at Queen’s Park Gallery, the Curator said other galleries, such as Caribbean Gallery of Art, Winifred Cumberbatch Gallery, Frangipani Art Gallery, and others, have been invited to participate in the celebration.

“This exhibition is also different because we usually invite artists to show in one space but again, we are promoting collaborative effort and will have people showing in different spaces. We have reached out to the different galleries to ask if they can curate shows with their group of artists on the theme so that we would have all the different art exhibitions across the island. Artists’ studios will also be open across the island during this third event. This exhibition ends on July 27.

The third one in the series is Reconnections. (PR)

Culture

Barbados Participates In International Conference On Cultural Heritage

A three-member Barbadian delegation is in Nairobi, Kenya, attending the International Conference on Cultural Heritage in Africa: A Dialogue on the Concept of Authenticity, which aims to foster an exchange of research, experience, knowledge, and observations.

The members of the delegation are Steve Devonish, Chair of the Barbados World Heritage Committee and Site Manager for Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison; Alissandra Cummins, Deputy Chair of the Barbados World Heritage Committee; and Dr. Sheron Johnson, Focal Point for Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison.

The four-day conference is a significant event dedicated to repositioning and redefining the concepts of authenticity and integrity in the context of African heritage. It is organised by UNESCO, in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Kenya and the African World Heritage Fund, and has brought together heritage experts, government officials, local communities, non-governmental organisations, and academics from across Africa and the world.

Barbados, as the only Caribbean country to present at the conference, has been welcomed wholeheartedly by the Director of the World Heritage Centre, Lazare Eloundou Assomo, organisers of the conference, and other African countries.

The delegation, at the request of the Director, spoke to the outcomes of the conference having implications for small island developing states such as Barbados, as much of our heritage has linkage with Africa.

The meeting also seeks to address the gap between global heritage frameworks and African realities, particularly how authenticity and integrity are defined and applied. Its importance lies in the current application of authenticity, which has a European slate and negates African ecological realities, communities and landscapes.

Africa is home to an extraordinary wealth of cultural and natural heritage, yet it remains underrepresented on the World Heritage List. Currently, African sites make up only 12.26 per cent of the 1,223 World Heritage properties globally, despite the continent’s significance as the cradle of humanity. Additionally, it has the highest number of endangered heritage sites worldwide.

While in Kenya, the delegation, led by Mr. Devonish, paid a visit to the High Commission for Barbados in Kenya and engaged in fruitful discussions with the High Commissioner William McDonald on ways to further deepen the relation between Barbados and African States on matters of heritage, support for Barbados’ future plans at the World Heritage Centre, and ways the Division of Culture can support the Mission’s outreach to the Kenyan population. (PR/GIS)

Culture

Clarification Of Investment Target For We Gatherin’ 2025

As the We Gatherin’ initiative continues in full stride, we take this time to thank those members of corporate Barbados who have committed to helping us reach our target of $5,000,000 (five million) in support and investment, whether cash or in kind.

So far, we have secured $500,000 from businesses across the island, and we continue to encourage other private sector entities to contribute to this historical initiative, that not only brings our society closer together but that will provide much needed assistance to programs that will benefit our youth, helping to steer us through troubled times to a better, more peaceful and prosperous Barbados for all.

After the recently concluded church service at St. Anne’s Church in St. Joseph, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight was keen to speak on the progress towards reaching this target.

“During my address, I inadvertently mentioned a figure of $5 million in private sector donations. That number reflects our aspirational goal, not the current reality. To clarify, we have presently secured $500,000 in contributions toward this initiative. We remain deeply grateful for the support received thus far and continue to encourage additional private sector partners to join us in this important national effort.”

We Gatherin’ 2025 continues with events and activities in St. Joseph for the month of April and moving on to St. John in May. (PR/GIS)

Culture

We Gatherin’ Activities Launched In Boston Over The Weekend

The spirit of Barbados was alive last Saturday, March 22, as the Consulate General of Barbados in New York, in partnership with the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), officially launched the ‘We Gatherin’ 2025 series in Boston.

According to Consul General Lorenzo Harewood, the event, held at the Sorrel and Lime place, was a spectacular showcase of Barbadian culture, bringing together scores of Barbadians and friends of Barbados for an unforgettable experience.

“Attendees were immersed in the rich sights, sounds, and flavours of the island, enjoying pulsating local music, mouthwatering Bajan cuisine, and a vibrant marketplace filled with stalls owned by Barbadian entrepreneurs,” he said.

He noted that from handcrafted souvenirs to locally made products, the event provided a platform for businesses to connect with the diaspora and promote authentic Barbadian goods.

The Consul General said that the energy in the room was electric as Barbadians, young and old, reunited with friends, made new connections, and celebrated their shared heritage.

A major highlight of the evening was the exciting giveaways, including exclusive discounted travel packages and the grand prize won by Carson Straughn – a trip for two to Barbados. The winners were thrilled at the chance to visit their homeland and immerse themselves in all that the island has to offer.

Mr. Harewood stated that the successful launch marked the beginning of what promises to be an exhilarating ‘We Gatherin’ 2025’ series.

“With overwhelming support and enthusiasm from attendees, the celebrations are set to continue in Connecticut, and Philadelphia, and culminate in a grand finale in New York throughout April and May. Many attendees have pledged to follow the journey, eager to experience more of the warmth, culture, and togetherness that define the Barbadian spirit,” he remarked.

The Consul General added: “The partnership between the Consulate and BTMI underscores a shared commitment to strengthening connections between Barbados and its diaspora while promoting the island as a premier destination for both leisure and business.

“As the excitement builds, Barbadians across generations are encouraged to join the movement, return home, and take part in the national festivals and activities happening throughout 2025.”

During the event, a brief intermission provided an opportunity to recognise outstanding professional achievements. Mr. Harewood took to the stage to present the prestigious Professional Achievement Award to Professor Cardinal Warde, a distinguished faculty member at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Professor Warde is widely regarded as a leading expert in optical information processing and display technologies. His extensive contributions to the field include over 150 technical papers, co-editorship of a book, and co-authorship of three book chapters on optical materials and devices.

Beyond academia, his innovative work is reflected in 12 patents related to spatial light modulators, displays, and optical information processing systems, solidifying his influence in advancing cutting-edge optical technologies. (PR/GIS)