Handmadeinbze Art Exhibition Launched in Belize City

Artworks from twenty-five artisans across the country are now on display at the Museum of Belizean Art. The exhibit, called ‘Hand Made in Belize,’ was launched today by the Institute of Creative Arts in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture. News Five’s Paul Lopez was at the launch and filed this report.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

The Institute of Creative Art, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, has launched an art exhibit showcasing work from twenty-five artisans. The pieces range from calabash shell lamps to embroidery and wood carvings. Minister of Culture Francis Fonseca mentioned that the National Institute of Culture and History is supporting these artisans by helping them market their work for potential export.

 

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Culture

“Absolutely fantastic project. It is an exciting initiative by NICH. We pay tribute to the artist, the artisans who are really behind this development project. As I pointed out it is a project that has three objectives. We want to document who the artisans are in Belize. So we want to have an accurate database of artisans in Belize. We want to work with them on marketability, how can we help them to promote that, to market that. Then as I pointed out, at the end of the day we really want to make sure our creative people can make a living. So the export market, how can we work with them to provide opportunities for their product in the export market. Culture is my business and this is a key initiatives we have focused at NICH because we understand that so many of our artist are creative people, but they need support in terms of marketing their products.”

 

Baron Neal, a resident of the Cayo District, makes what he refers to as butterfly collages. It’s a creative process that needs delicate tools. The end result is a stunning piece with vibrant colors and amazing designs.

 

Baron Neal, Artisan, Iry’s Butterfly Art

“It means a lot. I started this art from my brother in 2004. I have been doing it for twenty years. It took me about twelve years to reach this skill level that I am at. At this moment I have taught ten different persons and they have learned this skill and are helping their family. I have hired a local carpenter and a local glass shop. But at this moment with my art, I feel very great because I am inspiring my youth. Everybody is seeing me make a living off of art work. I was a math teacher and I quit that job because I believe my art work can help people in this world and people in Belize.”

 

Meet Keith Francisco, the artist behind this stunning Jankunu crown. Francisco shared that his talent stems from his deep love for Garifuna culture and the demand for these beautiful crowns. Today, he is proud to have his work displayed inside the art exhibit.

 

Keith Francisco, Artist

“Dah wah nice feeling or me to see my art on exhibit in this exhibition here. This dah wah Jankunu crown. This crown, we use this piece for when it’s Christmas this is the gear we use for that festive season to dance and do our display, like a house to house thing. I have been doing this from like 2013. What make me get into it, because anytime I need crown for me and my kids I need to spend money and make crown. So I put my interest into it. My bigger brother taught me how to get started and it is from then I started to do this jankunu crown. To make one of these could be like two days. It is a lot of time because when I get started I start with the roses. This is the hardest for this. It would take me a whole day to make all these roses. Then I wrap my hard box and put on the rest of pieces.”

 

Francis Fonseca

“All in all it is fantastic initiative and I pay full tribute to Gilvanno Swasey, Yassir Musa, the entire team at ICA, Kim Vasquez, the artisans who are from every districts, so many different communities coming together to make this a reality.”

 

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.