Dear Editor,
Our small artist community is vanishing, four of our senior artists versatile in painting and sculpture are in urgent need of medical treatment not available at the Georgetown Public Hospital. These artists have given their golden years to our country, represented Guyana at Carifesta, the IDB, and in South America: Suriname, Brazil and Venezuela. They are not looking for charity, being all producing artists, sales of their works would cover their medical bills.
The National Gallery, Castellani House no longer purchases art for the National Collection…with the sizable emergency budget has any money been allocated for the purchase of art? This is an open appeal to the banking establishments, the big business houses, and individual collectors who would wish to help these artists to come on board.
I have written numerous letters to the Ministry of Culture under the PPP/C and APNU+AFC Governments requesting that a grant be given to senior artists as to assist in the production of their artistic gems for public display, unfortunately, that has fallen on deaf ears.
This year we have lost four outstanding senior Guyanese artists: Grace Gale, Francis Ferreira, George Simon and Osaze. These artists have given over four decades of distinguished service to our country and the diaspora. They lived purposefully and their contribution forms part of the treasury of Guyanese art.
Thanking you in anticipation for your support. I have enclosed my phone number – 223-4636.
Yours faithfully,
Desmond Alli
General Secretary
Guyana United Artists
