BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THERE is an existing fear that should certain steps not be taken the craft industry within the Federation will die.
This fear was recently expressed to SKNVibes by General Manager of the Craft House Austin Weekes.
The Craft House, as Weekes explained, was established as the result of the National Handicraft and Cottage Industry Development Board Act of 1982 and its basic purpose was “to conduct training in a number of disciplines, and by training we mean to locals in general”.
Its function was to also procure raw material for artisans and craft producers to purchase at minimal cost and to promote locally-made items, among other things.
The scope of items produced at the Craft House includes leather bags, sandals, pottery, belts, purses and decorative items.
Weekes however explained that over the years the Arts and Crafts Industry within St. Kitts has suffered because of a number of factors, one of which being competition with imported craft items.
“Over a period of time it has lapsed somewhat and a lot of imported craft has penetrated our industry. And to that extent our artisans are actually now backing off of making arts and craft and buy cheaper imported craft; cheaper because they are mass produced in China etc. So it’s a challenge now for us, for any local craft producer. The Craft House should also be in a position to import, as the Act stipulates, raw materials and sell to artisans at a minimal rate. And to some extent that is happening, but I would like to see more of that happening.”
Weekes also explained that when he took over management of the Craft House, 99 percent of the items sold in the store there was imported. And while there has been a total reverse in that trend, there are several other things which must be done if the industry is to survive. These include mass introduction of arts and craft training in schools and the formation of an arts and crafts association.
“I also like to see an association of all local arts and craft producers. This would be good because they would be in a position to host exhibitions and things like that and even travel to exhibitions overseas. But I would like to see - maybe every six months - a local exhibition is held in St. Kitts-Nevis just to create an awareness among our locals as to what is done here and what can be done, because there are so many things that can be done, so many things which go for waste that could be utilized to make craft.
“This is why I would like to see a lot of training done in schools. For whatever reason, a lot of training is not being done in schools. For whatever reason, arts and craft has basically vanished from some schools. It is not there and I don’t think you can blame the schools, because it wasn’t encouraged from day one. The only way to revive the industry is to go through schools. This must be taught in schools!”
Weekes also spoke of collaboration among the OECS territories to promote locally-made art and craft. He said an integral element in the revival of the industry is government intervention.
“I am hoping for a change of direction in the Arts and Craft Industry. For the past five years we hadn’t a board of directors but a board was recently granted and, at least, that is a positive sign. So we are looking to having a change in the entire craft production in St. Kitts-Nevis.
“There has to be government support and if that is not forthcoming I see the local arts and craft dying. You may have just a couple of people doing it, but unless a different approach takes place, I see a natural slow death of the local craft industry…the fear is already there.”
