The Caribbean Fine Art Fair Celebrates its 10th Anniversary
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: March 10, 2020 – The 10th Annual Caribbean Fine Art Fair (CaFA Fair) will showcase the work of over 40 of the Caribbean’s most prolific visual artists during five days filled with art, film, music and performance events.
This unique exhibition will be on display in the Courtney Blackman Grande Salle of the Central Bank of Barbados from March 11 to 15.
Paintings, sculpture, photography, fine art jewellery, and more will be on display from Barbados, Anguilla, Antigua, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago and the US Virgin Islands.
“CaFA Fair Barbados is committed to highlighting the tremendous value of the visual and performing arts to Caribbean people as well as those outside the region,” says Anderson Pilgrim, Executive Director of the CaFA Fair.
“The Fair aims to positively impact the Caribbean economy and culture, with the ultimate goal being to influence the region to diversify both its cultural and tourism offerings.”
“On this our tenth anniversary, we have a series of exciting events planned to mark this milestone,” Pilgrim adds.
The events kick off with the gala opening on March 11, with entertainment by Terry “Mexican” Arthur. The highlight of the evening will be the premiere of the film “The Fire This Time: A Look at the Arts in Barbados”, by Alan Springer. This documentary was filmed on location in Barbados, Anguilla, St. Maarten and London. It is narrated by Anthony “Mighty Gabby” Carter and Keithroy “Destroyer” Christian.
Along with the main exhibition, three special exhibitions will also be open for viewing at the Grande Salle from March 11 to 15.
“The Cuban Connection” features the works of Cuban artists Alejandro Greenidge and Jose Andres Michel Rollock, descendants of Barbadians who migrated to Cuba after working on the Panama Canal.
The creativity of other artists in the Caribbean diaspora will also be highlighted in the special exhibition entitled “Diaspora Dialogue VI”.
Closer to home, the special exhibition “Wire Sculptors of Barbados” tells the story of three artists with one legacy.
Various areas within the arts will be highlighted, with events happening each day of the fair. On March 12 a Panel Discussion entitled “The Fire This Time” takes place at 5.30 in the evening.
March 13 is Caribbean Fashion Day. In the evening, patrons can expect to see designs that reflect the heritage of the region. Designers include Deisha Dare from Trinidad and Tobago, and Navazoe, Azizah Onifa and Lana Wilson from Barbados.
A Caribbean Art Symposium will be held on March 14. Presenters include Artist Daniel Alleyne, Artist/Therapist S. Ross Browne, Artist/Arts Administrator Shain Clarke, Arts Administrator Andrea King, Genealogist Dr. Ramona LaRoche and others.
Artists’ studio tours will take place on March 14 and 15, a rare chance to see the spaces in which artists create their work.
The finale on March 15 takes the form of a presentation called “The Cuban Connection”.
The literary arts will also be in the spotlight, with the presence of Chattel House Books during the Fair, ensuring the public has the opportunity to purchase the works of Caribbean authors.
The Bridgetown International Arts Festival will be happening at the same time as the CaFA Fair. During this festival, members of the public will be treated to music, spoken word and theatre, between 5.30 and 9.30 p.m., in the Central Bank’s courtyard.
The organizers of the CaFA Fair view the five-day arts festival as a springboard from which regional artists may take advantage of worldwide opportunities. Their mission is to demonstrate that art does not have to be a passion-turned-hobby but there are viable opportunities for artists to earn a living doing what they love.
It is fitting, therefore, that the work of Barbadian students will be on exhibit in Norman Centre in Bridgetown.
Admission is to CaFA Fair events is free for all students with ID and children 16 years and under.
CaFA Fair is one of the largest annual art exhibitions in the Caribbean. This year, it is supported by Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., Barbados Wax Museum, Carib Voice Radio, COT Group, Massy Properties, National Cultural Foundation and Onomatopoeia.
For event details, please visit www.cafafair.com or email info@cafafair.com
