BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – OVER the upcoming two days, residents of and visitors to the island would receive opportunities to view, enjoy and even purchase locally-made merchandise at an art, craft and fashion exhibition dubbed iFlamboyant.
The event kicks off on Saturday (Dec. 13) at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort in both the St. Vincent and St. Lucia Rooms and would feature a long list of indigenous fashion designers, jewellery makers, pottery makers, craft producers, etc.
The exhibition opens at 10:00 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m daily.
The name of the event, iFlamboyant, is a fusion of the local exhibitors, represented by the “i” and the Federation through its national flower, the Flamboyant or La Poinciana.
The owner of Potter’s House, Carla Astaphan, who is one of the exhibitors and also a spokesperson for the event, said the exhibition would place great emphasis on handmade items from the island of St. Kitts.
Exhibitors include Judith Rawlins, Dale Kelley, Sylvanie Tweed, Joan Hamilton, Debora Brooks, The Craft House, Horizon, Akua Jewellry, Beverly Hodge, Arlene Skerritt, Donna Leonhardth, Karen Berry, Canefield Natural, Shani Shtaingart, Leone Warner Young, Sally Nerman and St. Kitts Teas.
Astaphan said that in a country where most products are imported, an event such as this is necessary to display to the local consumer market the quality of products created in their own backyard.
“The fact is, we the people who are doing homemade are up against a lot of imported products and we felt it was important for us to showcase what is actually made here. A lot of people do not know what is going on here, and so an exhibition bringing all of us together under one umbrella allows for people to get a good idea of what is being produced here.”
She said some of the items expected to be on exhibition are body care products, fashion pieces, pottery, hats, paintings, jewellery and craft pieces.
As a pre-event, a cocktail and fashion show will be held this evening (Dec. 12) at the Marriott and would provide a snapshot of some of the items to be featured at the upcoming exhibition.
Astaphan advised that the exquisite pieces which would be on display could be purchased by the patrons, and that a portion of the proceeds would be donated to a worthy cause.
She said the group is hoping to host the event on an annual basis and the list of local exhibitors would grow as the event does.
