BVI London Office Dubs Art/CultureShow A Success

ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, July 7th, 2011 - The evening’s event, which was held on June 28, kicked off with an opening ceremony. In speaking on behalf of Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE, Director of the BVI London Office Mr. Kedrick Malone welcomed the audience and highlighted the significance of Territory Day.

He also gave an update on the Territory’s progress in the aftermath of the global financial crisis. – Over 100 friends of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and invited guests were captivated at BVI House in London during the recent Territory Day Reception and Art and Culture Show.

“The evening was a resounding success,” Mr. Malone said. Mr. Enriquito “Quito” Rymer debuted his ‘Phoenix Collection: Rising from the Ashes’, a line which is synonymous with where he currently is in his life, “ever rising, soaring and conquering”. He also treated the audience to a musical performance stating, “I am honoured to have been chosen as the featured artist.”

Additionally, up-and-coming artists Ms. Aya Marie Hewlette and Ms. Kishma V. S. Penn who are both gaining acclaim for their work in the BVI showcased their art.

The attendees viewed over 40 local art pieces that were vibrant and immersed in the theme of “island life”. Mr. Rymer had 30 paintings on display while Ms. Penn and Ms. Hewlette had five paintings each.
The exhibit will remain on display in the art gallery at BVI House for one year and individual paintings will be on sale.

Mr. Malone said he was elated that the reception and show allowed BVI friends and supporters to get a taste of the local art and culture.“This event provided our local artists with international exposure and we are grateful to Quito, Kishma and Aya for their valuable contribution to making the evening a success,” he said.

Each of the artists donated one of their art pieces to the evening’s silent auction in support of BVI athletes competing in the 2012 London Olympic Games. The silent auction raised $16,000.

Among the items auctioned were dive packages, charter yacht sailing excursions, holiday stays at renowned resorts throughout the BVI and roundtrip tickets on Virgin Atlantic. Other donors included the Long Bay Beach Resort, The Moorings, Sugar Mill Hotel, Leverick Bay Hotel and Vacation Villas, Guana Island, Dive BVI, Sail Caribbean Divers, Biras Creek Resort, Scrub Island Resort, Marriott Hotel and Ms. Anne Holloway.

Chairman of the Friends of the BVI and former Governor of the Virgin Islands Mr. Frank Savage in his remarks read a message on behalf of the President of the BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC) Mr. Ephraim Penn encouraging the audience to support the BVI athletes on the “Road to London 2012 Olympic Games”.

The evening’s guest of honour, Mr. Richard Ottaway, Member of Parliament and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Group and Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee delivered a brief address affirming the importance of the BVI to the United Kingdom (UK). He commended BVI athletes on their bid to qualify for the 2012 Games.

“The BVI is a valued member of the group of British Overseas Territories…and no team would be more welcome than the BVI Olympic team at the opening ceremony in London.” Mr. Ottaway stated.

The Government of the Virgin Islands in collaboration with the Friends of the BVI Committee has held the Territory Day Reception and BVI Art and Culture Show at BVI House in London, UK, since 2004.

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