The National Arts Festival (NAF), the main annual activity organised by the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF), came to an end this past Saturday with a Gala Closing ceremony. The gala event took place at Sandals Halcyon on Saturday, May 17th and celebrated the phenomenal work displayed by Saint Lucian artists throughout the two month festival.
Executive Chairman of the CDF, Petrus Compton in his welcome address emphasised the role that training played in this year’s festival and complimented participants for taking advantage of the opportunities which the Creative Arts Training Month presented. Compton also expressed satisfaction with new collaboration between stakeholders like the St. Lucia Tourist Board which assisted in the further development of the arts on St. Lucia. Compton was most appreciative to the sponsors whose invaluable support resulted in a successful 2014 festival.
The Awards Ceremony saw corporate sponsors presenting People’s Choice Awards to participants of NAF. The awardees were selected by members of the public who attended the various events at which artists displayed their artistic skills.
Delius Alfred, Scotiabank representative presented the Visual Arts Awards which included prizes for Sketch up and Community Collage competitions, activities which took place during the Community Festivals on April 25th and 27th. The People’s Choice Sketch up Awards for Anse La Raye and Babonneau went to Ramsey Montoute and Halle Regis respectively.
Awardee Alex Justin participated in the Community Collage competition in Babonneau and was duly rewarded for his abstract piece of artwork.
Anthony Herman received the Arts Exhibition Award for his intricately woven bamboo creations as displayed during the community festival in Anse La Raye. The National Arts Exhibition was launched on March 31st at the Blue Coral Mall where a variety of impressive pieces of artwork were showcased for an entire week. During that time a large number of visitors viewed the exhibits and tipped their hats to their favourite pieces.
When the exhibition closed, James Adjodha and Jessie Evans came out as winners from the National Arts Exhibition. The Arts Awards were presented by Maureen Alexander from Radio Caribbean International.
Shayne Cherry from Mediazone Productions presented the Film Award to Dale Elliot for his docufilm, 21 Days. In the spell-binding film, based on actual events a lone survivor shares the harrowing ordeal – a life-changing experience for all who view this historical account unfold before their very eyes.
On April 12th Junior and Senior Dance groups wowed supporters who were at the National Cultural Centre with traditional, contemporary, classical and modern dance pieces. Stevie Theophane, M&C representative made presentations to the Silver Shadow Dance Academy who walked away with awards for both their Junior and Senior Dance routines. Later, the audience was entertained with a breath-taking modern dance piece choreographed by Trevor King and performed by an ensemble of Senior Dancers titled, “My Right to Dance.”
Some of the best poets from Pom Dammou and Headphunk gathered for an intimate display of artistic genius on April 10th in a night of Performance Poetry. Adrian Klein, who was part of that gathering, was presented with the People’s Choice Award by Dale Elliot from The Independent Film Company, after Klein earlier delivered a passionate and well received poetic piece, “The Weapons For.”
They were for the very first time putting on a live stage performance on April 9th, but the audience thought their theatrical display worthy of honour and were therefore voted as People’s Choice: Radio Out and Bad with their portrayal of “Mange Cochon” received the Performing Arts Award by LUCELEC’s Corporate Communications Manager, Roger Joseph. They then showed the audience just why they deserved the award with a crowd pleasing energy-filled excerpt from their award winning production.
Bank of St. Lucia representative, Hayden Gittens, presented awards to the top three junior panorama pan sides; third place winners – St. Lucy’s Steel Pan Orchestra, second place winners – Diamond Steel Junior Orchestra and Junior Panorama Winners Caribbean Metals Pantime Steel Orchestra.
Derek Yarde, Gregory Piper and Joyce Auguste, whose work had been previously highlighted during Festival Week, were recognised for their contribution to the development of music on St. Lucia and as such were each presented with tokens of appreciation for their tireless devotion to the music industry.
The gala evening celebrated the creative talent which had been exuberantly expressed by artists representing various forms of artistic expression during the two month festival. The Cultural Development Foundation continues in its efforts to record, support, promote and enhance the culture of St. Lucia for the nation, the region and the world.