DEDICATED FACILITIES for artists to exhibit their work could soon be a reality.
Speaking at the official opening of the NIFCA Visual Arts & Photography Exhibition at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre (LESC) on Sunday evening, Minister of Culture Stephen Lashley said provision of a space was a priority.
“I am aware that the absence of a dedicated exhibition space certainly places limitations on our artists.
“Remedying this deficiency is a key plank in our strategy for ensuring the existence of basic infrastructure for arts development in the immediate future,” he said.
He said the increasing demand for space for the NIFCA programme meant that “we will have to accelerate the force of the provision of exhibition facilities”.
Possible spaces are the Queen’s Park Steel Shed and the National Art Gallery. The former has already been gutted, and work is expected to be done on the roof, toilets, floors, exteriors and the box as part of the first stage, which is expected to be completed by monthend.
Lashley said the refurbishment was scheduled for completion by the end| of the current financial year.
With regard to the National Art Gallery, Lashley said it would be working closely with the Barbados Community College and other arts development agencies in the development of relevant training programmes and marketability of products.
The exhibition, which attracted entries from individuals ranging from small children to adults, remains open at the LESC until November 29. The names of the top awards and special prize winners were announced at the opening and recipients got the opportunity to meet and be photographed with Lashley.
Like the winners in the other disciplines in NIFCA, they will receive their prizes and awards at Ilaro Court on December 5 at the NIFCA Awards Ceremony.
