Friday, November 28 - a significant day for Creative Nassau including its Third Market

Creative Nassau is eagerly preparing to host its third and largest Market on Friday November 28 in Pompey Square

Friday, November 28 will be a significant day for Creative Nassau as it prepares to receive the results of their UNESCO application to the Creative Cities Network! Whilst waiting with fevered anticipation however, CN's work will go on as the Group prepares for its third, and so far, largest Market in Pompey Square from 9am to 6pm!

There are 26 vendors slated for this month with a total of eight new vendors who will be displaying their all Bahamian products, including a young talented entrepreneur, Angel Rolle of Bows and Bands, who was introduced to CN at the recent Junior Achievement Workshop held last month!

"The Market continues to grow as each day, literally, I am receiving phone calls or email messages from interested vendors who wish to become a part of the Creative Nassau family." states Pam Burnside, Market Coordinator. "This makes it patently obvious that the nurturing of a Creative Economy environment is needed in the country so that entrepreneurs are encouraged to continue to produce Bahamian goods of high quality for sale to Bahamians and visitors. We need to recapture that spirit of independence that our forefathers exhibited. There is no doubt that our creativity is alive and well and it is Creative Nassau's mission to allow it to shine."

The public is encouraged to visit the Market in Pompey Square on Friday to 'Buy Bahamian, by Bahamians" and support our local creativity! We look forward to seeing you there!

Creative Nassau presentation made to the Rotary Club of Nassau

Pam Burnside (centre) with incoming Rotary President Dorothea Rae (left) and Rotarian Laverne at the presentation

Pam Burnside was the Guest Speaker at the Rotary Club of Nassau weekly meeting at Luciano's on November 18, 2014 and made a Power point presentation to the members which was very well received. It is envisioned that more presentations will be made to other Rotary groups in order to get the word out about Creative Nassau's goals and plans and to garner more public private partnerships.

Creative Nassau is the inaugural topic for new television series, BAHAMAS THEN & NOW

Creative Nassau's Co-Founder, Pam Burnside, is honoured to have been chosen by Producers, Kevin Turnquest and Patrice Francis, to be interviewed by Host Rosemary Hanna for the inaugural edition of their television show, BAHAMAS THEN AND NOW which was filmed at Doongalik Studios. This first episode will be aired on Channel 12 at 7.30 pm Sunday, November 2nd. Please tune in and give them your feedback on their facebook page.

Photos clockwise: Host, Rosemary Hanna interviews Pam; Patrice Francis, Rosemary, Pam and VAUDIO owner Kevin Turnquest after the shoot; Rosemary and Pam

We salute these visionary creatives for providing this much-needed platform to reveal, discuss and celebrate the rich culture and heritage of our country, The Bahamas!

Second monthly Creative Nassau Market for October

Mother Nature did her thing with thunderstorms for our scheduled second Market which had to be postponed, but just as the sun appeared the following week, so did we with smiles and enthusiasm for our customers to show them the best of Bahamian Crafts!

Mother Nature took control this month as the Creative Nassau Team prepared for their second Market in Pompey Square on Friday, October 24.

This satellite photo shows the unstable weather over Nassau last Friday (photo courtesy of Nassau Weather Live) but aren't these colours gorgeous...just like a junkanoo costume!

Due to inclement weather on that date (which certainly came true as forecast!) the Team has postponed the Market to  FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31 instead, weather permitting!

We respect Mother Nature who made the plants happy in Nassau last Friday, and we look forward to seeing our supporters and fans at our Second Creative Nassau Market in Pompey Square from 9am - 6pm this Friday!

First Creative Nassau Market is a success!

The first Creative Nassau Market held on September 26th at beautiful Pompey Square in downtown Nassau was a success! The Square was decorated with brightly coloured stalls offering "true true" Bahamian products which invited and enticed both visitors and Bahamians alike to browse and shop as they learned about Bahamian art, culture and heritage. On display was an array of authentic art, food, produce, souvenirs, craft items, jewellery, straw and junkanoo products. Patrons were also treated to demonstrations of coconut straw plaiting and products by the famous Perry' Jungle" Prosa, as well as junkanoo drumming by Junkanoo World.

The day came to a stupendous end with a concert put on by talented Bahamas All Stars Marching Band led by Yonell Justilien. This enthusiastic group of Bahamian high school students dazzled the audience with their melodious music and marching skills as well as their dynamic dancing. This group will be performing at the famous Macy's Day Parade in New York next month, and will be second on the line up! So If you missed their performance here in Nassau, check them out in November! We thank them for bringing the first CN Market to a rousing close!

The next CN Market will be held in the Square on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24  from 9am - 6pm, and we look forward to seeing you there!

For more photos of the Market activities (compliments of Rosemary Hanna) please visit our Creative Nassau facebook page!

Creative Nassau presents to College of The Bahamas students

College of The Bahamas Professor, Dr Nicolette Bethel (front) with CN Members Pam and Patti

CN Members, Patti Glinton-Meicholas and Pam Burnside, made a presentation today to the students of Dr Nicolette Bethel at the College of The Bahamas on Creative Nassau and the Bahamian Straw Industry.

Dr Bethel, who previously conducted a comprehensive 5-year research study about Junkanoo with the help of another group of her COB students, is interested in examining how another research project based on the IDB publication 'The Orange Economy' by Felipe Buitrago  (which speaks about the importance of developing more Creative Economies in the Caribbean), can be utilized in The Bahamas.

COB students with their professor

The presentations were followed by lively discussions and exchanges on Bahamian Art, Culture and Heritage, as well as a closer examination of some of the uniquely Bahamian straw products!

The students were shown examples of Bahamian straw products

Creative Nassau prepares for monthly Downtown Market in Pompey Square

The widely acclaimed Pompey Square in Downtown Nassau which will be transformed into the CN Market opening at the end of September

Creative Nassau (CN), in conjunction with the Downtown Nassau Partnership (DNP), is actively preparing for its first monthly Creative Market in Pompey Square, Downtown Nassau which will take place on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 from 9am - 6pm.

Enthusiastic vendors ranging from authentically native straw designers, photographers, artists, crafters, writers, local produce farmers, food vendors of native jams, jellies and drinks, junkanoo artists and artisans, entertainers, straw plaiters and so much more will transform the Square into a all day Market with Bahamian-made products for sale as well as entertainment, educational information and 'true true' Bahamian hospitality for visitors and local Bahamians alike.

"We are totally excited about this new CN venture," stated CN Co-Founder Pam Burnside, "as it will bring the spirit of who we are as a Bahamian people along with a fabulous display of our amazing talents right into the centre of town!"

CN Founding Member, Patricia Glinton Meicholas added, "The Bahamas has such a wealth of natural creative genius, that we are so enthused to be able to share this talent with the world!"

Pam (left) and Patricia (right) pose with their instructor, Nurse Turnquest (centre) after successful;y completing their Food Handlers Course for the CN Market

The public can look forward to a continuing variety of fascinating Bahamian experiences at the CN Market! Don't miss it!

Pompey Square, a project of the Downtown Nassau Partnership, was conceptualised by CN Founder and Architect, the late Jackson Burnside, and was designed by a group of talented Bahamian consultants: Architect, Dirk K. B. Saunders of Jackson Burnside Ltd; Landscape Architect, Tim Bethel of Terrain Design and Management; Civil Engineer, Ray Mckenzie of Caribbean Civil Group; Mechanical Engineer, Thomas Cleare of Brown and Associates; Structural Engineer, Anthony Farrington of IDDB; Quantity Surveyor, Paul Worrell of DHP Associates.

Pam Burnside talks about The Arts and Creativity on Radio Show

Radio Host Lester Cox (right) and co-host, Erin Greene (left) with guests, Matthew Wildgoose and Pam Burnside

CN Co-founder, Pam Burnside was a guest on Lester Cox's Radio Show, "Connected' this morning  along with his Co-Host, Activist Erin Greene  and  Actor/Artist guest, Matthew Wildgoose who opens an Exhibition of his caricatures this evening at The Balmoral. The lively discussion dealt with the importance of the Arts and Creativity as a means of expression and how they can positively impact this nation, the challenges of the country's current educational system, and even the upcoming Gender Referendum!

CN Member John Cox, heads new 'Current' Art Team at Baha Mar

John Cox, front centre, with his 'Current' Art Team members, including CN member Sonia Farmer left

John Cox, Baha Mar's Art Director, heads the new 'Current" Art Team, the unifying force behind Baha Mar's collective art moments across the luxury resort in The Bahamas. The team opened their first Art Gallery and Exhibition last evening, July 31  entitled: "Buildings Are People Too" that explores ideas about the nature of construction, particularly as it relates to the hotels at Baha Mar.

The exhibition explores notions behind the animation of development, the crossing and integration of cultures and the presence of individuals that cultivate exchanges and experiences throughout the construction process.

Two distinct bodies of work, stemming from separate perceptions—one made in response to experiencing the site from the inside and the other made exclusively from the perspective of an onlooker –will share a single space.

Through direct interviews with workers and use of material salvaged on site, Piaget Moss and Veronica Dorsett explore the grandeur of buildings and the moments of life they cloak, hoping to promote discourse about the delicate and typically unseen elements of construction. Find out more about the group and their plans at 'The Current - Art at Baha Mar' facebook page!

(info courtesy of 'The Current-Art at Baha Mar' facebook page)

CN Member, Sonia Farmer, an integral part of the new 'Current" Team at Baha Mar

Sonia Farmer's position as a part of the new 'Current' Team at Baha Mar is to catalogue the Baha Mar art collection as well as archive and shape the narrative of the art program. Farmer draws upon her background in writing and love for the ancient crafts of bookbinding, papermaking, and letterpress-printing. She is the founder of Poinciana Paper Press, a small fine press that produces hand-bound limited-edition chapbooks of Caribbean writing, based out of The Bahamas. Her poetry has won the 2011 Small Axe Literary Competition in Poetry and has appeared in various publications, and her artwork has been exhibited in the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas and in several Transforming Spaces Art Tours. She holds a BFA in Writing from Pratt institute.

Pam Burnside and Antonius Roberts discuss 'The Orange Economy' on Morning Blend

Dwight Strachan (left) and his co-host (right) with Pam and Antonius following the radio show this morning

Pam Burnside and artist Antonius Roberts were guests on Dwight Strachan's Guardian Radio Show this morning and were joined via skype by Felipe Buitrago, the IDB author of 'The Orange Economy' to discuss the presentations that will be delivered tonight on this fascinating topic.

The event will be held at The Central Bank of The Bahamas from 6.30 - 8.30pm and the public is invited to attend.

Pam Burnside presents her IDB talk on Bahamian Creativity at the Central Bank on Wednesday July 23 at 6.30 pm

Pam Burnside makes her presentation at The Central Bank

Pam Burnside, owner of Doongalik Studios Art Gallery was recently invited to make a presentation in Washington on the growth of the Bahamian Visual Arts at the Creatives of the Caribbean Arts Festival based on the topic: “Fostering Economic and Commercial Viability of the Caribbean Creative Economy”. The Festival was a collaboration of the IDB, Smithsonian Institution, and Caribbean In-Transit Arts Journal and it entailed (i) an art exhibition from June 6th  to August 29th; (ii) a concert on June 19th headlined by Ms. Alison Hinds and featuring performances by the Ambassador for St. Kitts and Nevis, as well as the Positive Vibrations Youth Steel Orchestra; and (iii) a panel seminar “Voices of Caribbean Creatives” to draw attention to the economic impact of the creative industries in the Caribbean, and to promote comprehensive development of this sector.

The panel which Burnside participated in consisted of Marielle Barrow, Editor-in-Chief of Caribbean in-Transit, Ewan Simpson, Musical Arranger and Intellectual Property Lawyer, Dr Yanique Hume,  Program Coordinator & Lecturer in Cultural Studies at UWI, and Pam (You can watch Pam's presentation here Mrs. Burnside video presentation ). It was moderated by Ignacio De Leon, IDB Private Sector Development Lead Specialist.  There was also a presentation from Dr. Keith Nurse on the Creative Economy and Entrepreneurship in the Caribbean followed by another panel consisting of Dr Diana Baird N’Diaye, Cultural Heritage Specialist at the Smithsonian Centre for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, Felipe Buitrago, Author of the IDB book The Orange Economy,  (you can access his presentation here  Mr. Buitrago video presentation ) Richard Campbell Chief, Culture and Tourism at OAS and Mario Umama, Integration and Trade Lead Specialist at the IDB who spoke on “Measuring, Preserving and Growing the Creative and Cultural Sector” from an development institutional standpoint. The seminar concluded with a key presentation by Dr. Vanus James, of the University of Technology, Trinidad and Tobago on “Measuring Economic Impact of the Cultural Industries” with recommendations of how the development stakeholders could support this process.

In order to share the information with the Bahamian community, and as a part of their 40th Anniversary celebrations, the Central Bank of The Bahamas, the institution that can be regarded as one of the foremost incubators for much of the country’s visual arts development and progress, invited the public to attend Burnside’s presentation in the foyer of the Bank’s Gallery on Wednesday, July 23 from 6.30 pm – 8.30 pm.

There was a standing room only audience at the Central Bank presentation. Governor of the Central Bank, Ms Wendy Craigg sits at the front along with IDB Representatives Ms Astrid Winters and Cherran O'Brien to her left (photos courtesy of Keisha Oliver for The Central Bank of The Bahamas)

The evening was an educational and entertaining one as Burnside, who is also a founding member of the Transforming Spaces annual Art Tour as well as the newly formed Creative Nassau organization, examined the important role Creativity can play in the Bahamian context, and how it should be seriously embraced in its broader sense not only as an economic engine that can provide necessary employment opportunities for Bahamians, but also as a vehicle that can positively affect the social fibre of the country. Burnside, an outspoken cultural advocate like her late husband, Jackson Burnside III,  also talked about the necessary shift needed to redefine the country’s outdated tourism model of sun, sand and sea into one that focuses on Bahamian Art, Culture and Heritage from the inside out, i.e. developed first from amongst the Bahamian people, then offered outwards to the visitor.

The evening also included a second presentation by Felipe Buitrago Restrepo from the IDB on the recent publication The Orange Economy that was prepared by Felipe and Iván Duque Márquez, and is a totally innovative text which discusses the importance of the Creative Industries in the present global market with particular emphasis on the Caribbean. The Orange Economy  can be downloaded at no cost. As described on the publication’s cover:

Pam with IDB presenter on 'The Orange Economy', Felipe Buitrago Restrapo (centre) and Antonius Roberts following the presentations

The Orange Economy is a manual to understand that it is in the imagination of our artists and creatives that we find one of the most effective ways to seize opportunities in an era of disruptive technological change to become a force in the global knowledge economy.