The Tribune

A CALL has gone out for artists and artisans to sign up for The Bahamas Christmas Arts Festival.

The festival is scheduled to take place on December 1 and 2 between 11am and 6pm on the lush historic Collins Estate Grounds, and is expected to be unlike any other Bahamian festival.

Courtney Strachan, chairman of the Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corporation (AMMC) said: “It will take place during the Christmas season and will boast the largest gathering of Bahamian artists and artisans in one setting. It is designed to showcase some of the top Bahamian visual artists (fine artists and sculptors) artisans, vocalists, culinary artists, bar chefs and performing artists. Local people, domestic tourists and international tourists can experience many of the cultural elements that make The Bahamas different from any other country on the planet.

“The festival will also showcase high end, boutique style, elegant and casual hand made jewellery, hand bags, table and bath linen, home decor items, special trinkets and fashion.

“Event patrons will have an opportunity to enjoy time honoured Bahamian culinary delights and traditional Bahamian ingredients transformed into modern savoury gourmet delights. Festival goers will also be afforded an opportunity to witness live culinary demonstrations, in a festival food pavilion area, receive recipe cards and as a result add new dishes to their Christmas dinner menus,” she said.

There will also be several segments throughout the day that will be devoted to showcasing Bahamian designers, stylists and models on the festival’s cat walk.

In keeping with the overall theme of the BCAF, Bahamian vocalists and musicians will also be a major feature on the main festival stage, performing throughout the festival.

People interested in displaying at the festival can either email event co-ordinator Angelique McKay at amckay@ammcbahamas.com or call 3262566, 3231925 or go to the Bahamas Cultural Festival fan page on Facebook before November 15. They will have to fill out an application form and bring samples of their work for vetting before being accepted into the festival. The application is available on the Facebook page and on the AMMC website.