Bahamian Tings: Authenti-City Returns
After a three-year hiatus, Bahamian talent was on full display during the 7th installment of the Bahamas Industrial Corporation’s (BAIC) “Authenti- City” event held Saturday, November 24th on Grand Bahama Island.
The Arts and Crafts event featured approximately 26 artisans who showcased their original work while hoping to make a substantial profit via direct sales from those attending the event.
Those in attendance were able to purchase jams, jellies, jewelry, handbags, among many other products which are unique to The Bahamas.
As the current market has seen a shortage of authentic, handcrafted Bahamian products, the event was timed perfectly with the beginning of the tourism “high season”.
Karen Seymour, Director, Ministry of Tourism & Aviation (MOTA), GBI, said, “The Ministry of Tourism & Aviation is pleased to partner with the Bahamas Agricultural & Industrial Corporation (BAIC) for the relaunch of this annual event, under the theme “Bahamian Tings.”
“Arts and culture are the core of a people’s essence, so we are thrilled to welcome and share this snippet of culture with each of you.”
She added that “We are a country with a unique people offering diverse experiences; a country where you will experience culture in its various forms, and the entrepreneurs throughout these grounds today are ready and willing to share these experiences.”
Due to the return of the event, those artisans who continue to create high quality, handmade, authentic products should always have a platform to showcase their original works on a yearly basis.
As the purpose of the Arts and Crafts show is to bring together artisans and artists throughout Grand Bahama Island, BAIC Executive Chairman Michael Foulkes, Member of Parliament for Golden Gates, noted that the craft village was intentionally created to highlight indigenous Bahamian products as well as to enhance the cultural and economic wealth.
BAIC remains committed to creating, developing, marketing, promoting and even processing quality Bahamian made products for the domestic and international markets, and as such, the Ministry of Tourism & Aviation is looking forward to the continuous growth of the craft industry after the corporation’s relaunch of the Arts & Crafts show.