Local craft producers have returned from an exhibition in Barbados with mixed experiences.
Thirty-nine local craft companies participated in the 15th regional Caribbean Gift and Craft Show, which was held from October 2 to 5, at the Sherbourne Conference Centre, in Barbados.
The show usually attracts participation from different Caribbean territories to showcase and sell hand-made products. The Guyanese delegation was made up of fifty people, who travelled with the assistance of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), which covered costs for the airfare, accommodation, meals and transportation. The initiative was facilitated by the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest), which was given a special certificate in honour of its support of the event.
The assistance from the CDB provided an opportunity for several emerging entrepreneurs and some regular faces who could not meet the cost of participation, like Trevor Alfred, of Image of Likeness Art Gallery & Studio. Alfred, a potter, took part in the exhibition on previous occasions in a personal capacity but this year he was able to secure sponsorship. He won an award for the best hand-made ceramic work on display, but was disappointed at the small number of buyers that went to see the exhibition. (Nicholas Young, of Rainforest Pottery, was the runner-up in this category.) Alfred suggested this may have been as a result of the event being hosted outside the main commercial areas in Barbados.
Although he did sell a fair number of his products, Alfred thought it could have been better. Of all his displays, his large hand-painted vases were most popular.
Nazim Bacchus, of Bacchus Leather Establishment said the show “wasn’t all of that.” He said that it was a great initiative by the CDB to fund the participants, but felt the event was probably held the wrong time of the year. He suggested it would be better to stage it between late November and April when tourism in the Caribbean is at a peak.
Bacchus had previously participated in the fair but stopped because of the high cost. Although he did find a market for some of his leather slippers, handbags and other goods, he felt sorry for some of his compatriots who did not sell many items.
Denzil Hollingsworth, who along with her husband Desmond is the owner of D&R Wooden Craft, has participated in the show for the last 15 years. She thought that there were improvements in the standard of work and the diversification of products on show, though she also noticed a decline in the number of visitors. This, she said, affected the level of sales. However, she benefited from being a regular at this event since she knew several buyers. Her products included pencil holders, earrings, necklaces and souvenir items. Of these items, the wooden earrings were very popular. And according to Hollingsworth, she was also approached by an overseas company to produce wooden bag handles.
For fashion designer and seamstress Denyse Grant, the show was “a very rewarding experience.” A first-time participant, she said it helped get her designs on the market, while also providing an opportunity to see the kind of goods that others are making and marketing.
Grant, who owns Denyse Fashions & Fabric Designs, displayed some of her fashion and her designs proved to be popular. Among the items that she sold were men’s shirts with embroidery, ladies evening wear, tie-dyed embroidered outfits, lady suits and matching handbags. She said the men’s shirts with the embroidered designs were particularly popular. Grant also met a Barbadian fashion designer who was so impressed with her sewing skills that he approached her about sewing some of his designs.
Stabroek News was told that Grant was one of the few local fashion designers who had a successful outing. Some of the participants said local designers experienced stiff competition from their counterparts in Barbados, Jamaica and other territories. One person said although the designers may not have sold much they would have gained a lot of experience.
