‘Local artists should be included when new hotels are constructed’

WITH several major projects set to be constructed in the tourism sector in the near future, Culture Minister Stephen Lashley says a case will be made to ensure that local art is included when they are completed.

His comments came on Wednesday morning, after touring the pop-up “Revoclectic” exhibition currently being showcased in Massy Stores Super Centre Warrens.

According to the Minister, “Rather than import everything, the paintings – and many of them are prints – why not give the business to our local artists? I have said, and certainly we are moving a policy through the Cabinet, where at least in relation to the development of new hotels or the refurbishment, that we dedicate at least two per cent of the décor to local art.

“Although I think that is a small percentage, we are starting there. I think it is really a travesty to have new buildings, particularly in the vibrant hotel sector, being built, and giving significant incentives to companies to come and build hotels in Barbados; and then they import all of the art that is used to decorate the rooms.

“I think that it should be a condition and I have articulated this in the Cabinet, that investors who we are giving these lucrative incentives to, must at least spend a percentage of their money in purchasing local art, so that our local art can adorn the beautiful rooms in our hotels,” he opined.

This he says, extends to the wider private sector and art showcased in many corporate offices. “You will see art, you will see the mini displays – the question is where does it come from?” he asked.

Addressing the perennial call for a permanent home for local art, he revealed that a building has been identified for a National Art Gallery at Block B in the Garrison, but noted that the keys are yet to be handed over by the Housing Ministry.
“That paves the way to then outfit the building. Much of the National collection is currently stored in Holetown in a facility that is not the best, but it just underscores the need for a National Art Gallery. However of course we also need to be able to outfit the building and we need money to do it. The intent is there,” he remarked.

“We have got to the stage where a building has been identified so certainly that is the way forward. We now need to be able to get the funds to outfit the building. A National Art Gallery is not just a building it has to be done in a professional way and it has to be spacious. We believe that Block A at the Garrison gives us that, he added.

“When we get the money, then we can look at building it out, but again this is a positive development for Barbados,” he said. (JH)