Collectors and people looking for unique gifts can choose from a variety of paintings, sculptures, hand-painted Christmas cards, tibisiri and leather craft, pottery and jewelry made by local artisans today and tomorrow at Christmas pop-up shops.
The first event is today at Altitude Bar in Kitty from 10 am – 3 pm and the second at Parc Rayne, Rahaman’s Park tomorrow from 9 am – 1 pm.
Jeweler Nadia Jabour, who has been in the art industry for more than 25 years, and is the coordinator of this weekend’s Christmas exhibition and sale said she was elated to be able to pull it off. She revealed that it was only in the middle of this week that she decided on the event and was excited to see other artists book their spots as soon as they learnt of it. So far, 13 artists have booked places for Saturday’s event while Sunday is expected to feature at least 17 artists.
Nadia said that the different venues will make it easier for interested persons living closer to those areas.
Besides art, the upmarket events will also display and sell other locally made products such as pepper sauce, achar, cassareep, ginger, and also chocolate and pepper flakes by Andrew Campbell, as well as a variety of locally made face and body products and soaps.
“I was asked by a few expats earlier this week to put on something just for local artisans because they can’t find the local artisans in one place. You know, sometimes you want local stuff and you go into a store and they are mixed with other imported stuff. Sometimes the issue is that nobody can reach them [artists] because some of them are not on social media and even the ones who are on social media may not be pushing their stuff as they should,” she said.
The jeweler noted that Guyana has numerous talented people, but the majority of their work is still unknown to the public. She pointed out that not every artisan can open their own shop front. As such, she believes there should be a body of persons that takes on marketing the work of artists. Many artists, Nadia said, are not as informed in the marketing perspective and need the help they can get through such avenues.
The artist who also lives in St Lucia has a shop called Island Mix where she sells local and Caribbean made pieces.
Meanwhile, Nadia is already making plans for similar pop-up shops for December 11, 12, and 13, and December 17, 18, and 19 at Taco Loco in Campbellville, Georgetown. These events will be in the evenings and begin at 4 pm on the respective days.
Artists wishing to book spots at the upcoming pop-up shops can reach Nadia at 670-5625.
