Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/5830/-1/136/
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WOMEN'S CRAFT CENTRE RELOCATED AND OPENED New Permanent Location Being Sought
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The National Council of Women is now operating its Art Gallery (formerly Arts and Crafts Centre) in the newly-built Brooks & Sons Complex in The Valley, just down from the People’s Market. The relocation is to facilitate Government’s use of the original site to accommodate a new building to house the nearby Education Department.
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Mr. Rey and members of the women of the Art Gallery
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The opening ceremony was held on Friday, April 11. President of the National Council of Women, Ernie Hodge-Carty, said that the organisation has had its challenges over the years, but the Anguilla Arts and Crafts Shop had stood the test of time. “We have defended our corner and gone from the lone craft centre to holding our own among some of the finest art galleries on the island,” she stated.
She commended a number of women who were involved in the Arts and Crafts Centre from its inception in 1984. She was particularly grateful to Rowena Carty who served as the first President of the National Women’s Council in 1982 and was instrumental in the establishment of the centre. “Mrs. Carty has had and continues to have the interest and well-being of the women of Anguilla at heart,” she stated. “Today we are so happy that she is able to see the vision which is very much alive.”
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Some of the attendees at the opening ceremony
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Mrs. Hodge-Carty was delighted with the beautiful display of a wide assortment of craft items at the gallery and that customers were able to find many of the gifts, souvenirs and jewelry they were looking for. The craft work also includes an array of local paintings, ceramics, clothing, bags and a collection of other attractively hand-made items to meet the needs of visitors and the local community. She hoped that “customers will continue to come and buy and that the contributors will continue to provide supplies so that we may continue to provide employment.”
She expressed thanks to the Government for its continued generosity to the women’s craft shop and appealed for assistance to have their own building once more. “We love it here, but as the old adage states ‘there is nothing like your own,’” she added.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Rodney Rey, congratulated the National Council of Women “on the official opening of this new, attractive, tastefully-decorated and customer-friendly Art Gallery.”
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Display of bags at the Art Gallery
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He went on: “I trust that this outlet will continue to motivate our handicraft makers, artists and other artisans to produce high-quality local craft and souvenirs for sale to visitors as well as locals. The Government of Anguilla in general, and the Ministry of Social Development in particular, are very pleased to be associated with this project and other projects sponsored by the National Council of Women.
“We are here because the Ministry of Education has plans for the construction of a modern office complex that will negatively impact the former craft outlet. The Ministry of Education is therefore facilitating the temporary operations of the art gallery in the Brooks & Sons Complex. I wish to assure the National Council of Women that we have already started the process of identifying a suitable permanent location for the construction of a headquarters, an outlet and workshops for the women of Anguilla. They have demonstrated that they are a powerful force in more ways than one. They have been pioneers in the commercial marketing of Anguillian craft and deserve the support of the general public in this venture.”
Mr. Rey particularly called on the National Council of Women “to consider a programme of projects to assist unemployed women with employment and training in cottage industries, and other micro enterprises, in order to supplement their incomes in this period of hyper-inflation. At the same time it will guarantee future supplies of stock for the outlet.”
Another speaker was Bernice Fahie-Richardson. “Over the many years I have supported the Anguilla craft initiative now gallery,” she said. “The motivation came from creating and selling items and meeting people from various nationalities who adore and cherish local craft. I will continue to support this gallery as long as I am able.” She encouraged other persons to get involved and create items so that the gallery can always be stocked and can satisfy the needs of visitors as well as residents.
The opening ceremony was chaired by Melsadis Fleming, a noted Anguillian artist and Deputy Principal at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School.