Nigel Butler and an informal collective of artists will be hosting a ‘Sip and Create’ event next month in keeping with their plan to ensure that local art gets the recognition and appreciation they say it deserves.
‘Sip and Create’, slated for February 15th, is planned as the second of many events to be hosted by the artists. The venue is a multi-storey building at the junction of Alexander and David streets, Kitty.
Butler, who is the organiser of the event, told Stabroek Weekend that it is similar to wine and painting events that have recently been hosted by various groups. However, he said, it will be very different as persons who are interested in participating in the event will be given a lot more options when it comes to “creating.”
He noted that the ground floor of the building will be set up like an art gallery and persons will have the option of painting, sculpting, drawing, sketching, among others. Everything will be done in groups of five persons under the guidance of one artist, he said.
As it relates to the artists that will be overseeing the event, he said many have indicated their interest but they still have to sort out who exactly will be doing what. He added that for persons interested in actively participating in the event, a fee of $6,000 will have to be paid. He said that fee covers entrance, art materials and paying the artist who direct or oversees their work. They will also get a glass of wine upon entry.
In addition, he stated, persons who are not interested in creating their own art but are interested in viewing paintings and other artwork that will be on display will only have to pay a fee of $1,000.
Meanwhile, Gavin Mendonca along with Marlon ‘Chuck’ Adams and A-Tay-Jah will be performing on the second floor of the building, where the art exhibition will also be held. There will also be poetry, spoken word and many.
Butler says it will be bigger than the first event, which was held at the Courtyard Mall on Robb Street. He said that he did not expect that event to be such a success even if it wasn’t not successful financially. He said he was just glad for the amount of people who turned up and enjoyed art.
He said their newly formed informal collective is intended to sensitise people about art and culture and the events are their “little plan” to make art the main event and not the “backup event.” He added that he hopes that the numbers in the collective increases and encouraged artists interested in joining to contact him via Facebook.
Tickets will go on sale for the ‘Sip and Create’ event next week.
