An eventful year for the exuma arts network

The Exuma Arts Network has an eventful year! This year EAN hosted monthly Paint & Sip’s which were always well attended. The After School Creative Club had a regular attendance of 6 children, with the addition of 6-10 drop-in children from ages 6-15.

In February, L.N. Coakley presented Turquoise Impressions, a student art exhibition with an opening reception. This was such a successful exhibition, that the Ministry of Education requested a short documentary, which a Coakley student produced. EAN also hosted a full-day collage workshop with students from Exuma Christian Academy. A total 170 students came through the doors from schools from Williams Town to Stuart Manor High School.

Also in February was the Encaustic Painting Workshop with guest artist, Domenica Brockman, attended by students from L.N. Coakley H.S.

In April, the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas Inter-Island Travelling Exhibition “30 Island Life Perspectives” shared selected works from the National Collection. EAN had an amazing turnout of 100+ people at the opening reception, and received over 400 visitors throughout the month of April, including having seven schools tour the exhibition.

EAN was represented at the Museums Association of the Caribbean, hosted by the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas in Nassau, which provided an opportunity to meet museum and creative professionals from across the Caribbean, US, and Canada.

The first solo exhibition for local self-taught artist, Beatrice Oliver Gould was warmly received by locals and visitors to the community. Her art is known for bringing her stories of Bahamian island life to canvas.

The Summer Eco-Art Camp ran for three, one-week sessions. A total of 18 campers joined, some participated for all three weeks, while some dropped in for a few days. A total of 12 one-week scholarships were extended. The first Summer Camp Internship brought a recent graduate from the University of The Bahamas Arts and Education program, making camp extra special, and also providing the opportunity to give the campers more attention.

EAN partnered with the Bahamas National Trust in giving a hands-on experience to the eco aspect of art. Dr. Kathleen Sealy, a retired marine biologist gave a presentation on marine plant life and algae, with a printing project. The camp ended with an exhibition at the NAGB of the camper artist’s work from both Nassau and Exuma locations.

The Goombay Festival Garbage Bins project was in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism in which our summer campers painted marine life-themed garbage bins for the Goombay Festival in July, which was attended by hundreds of locals and visitors.

And this was the first year participating in BNT’s Jollification event in Nassau where EAN represented Exuma artists and artisans in the Nassau community.

EAN is grateful for the support from donors and is looking forward to more exciting events and exhibitions in 2024.

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