The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

IT WAS the late Jackson Burnside’s III dream to see people come to the Bahamas not only for the sun, sand or sea, but to experience the country’s art and culture.

Jackson Burnside, who was cultural icon, painter and architect believed the vision will fully manifest in the year 2020, however, not without the efforts of a conglomerate in the creative community.

With this goal in mind both Jackson Burnside and his wife Pam Burnside became inspired after a trip to Santa Fe to launch a group that would showcase Bahamian culture to the world.

Now Mrs Burnside and other members in the creative community are holding steadfastly to the vision and doing their share to exhibit Bahamian culture on the world stage through the launch of Creative Nassau.

Creative Nassau is developing a creative tourism model designed to ensure that more persons who travel to the Bahamas come to experience the country’s culture.

The official launch of the “Go Live” event will be held on May 16 at Doongalik Art Gallery & Studios, which was also the creation of the late Jackson Burnside. It will be held under the patronage of Governor-General Arthur Foulkes.

They event will feature displays and exhibitions relating to straw and top quality straw products from designers such as Harl Taylor BAG, The Plait Lady, and Keesha Miller, along with Junkanoo books by Arlene Nash Ferguson and Dr Emmanuel Francis, costumes and musical instruments, and authentically Bahamian souvenir items.

Entertainment throughout the evening will be provided by the Barabbas’ Youth Band and the event will conclude with a Junkanoo rush-out.

Patrons will be the first to view the Creative Nassau website on this ‘Go Live’ night.

“We have not given up in our quest to make this happen, even after five full years of constant focus on the project,” said Mrs Burnside

“We would also like to thank Cable Bahamas Cares Foundation for believing in our vision and providing the group with seed funding to begin research. On this third anniversary of Jackson’s passing, we are extremely happy to have completed the application to UNESCO and to hold this public launch. We look forward to persons signing on for membership in the group as there is so much to be done. The time is now to revolutionise the way we do things in this country; the ‘same old, same old’ model is not longer viable.

“Our motto is ‘Celebrating and Promoting Bahamian Art, Culture and Heritage from the INSIDE OUT’. We, the people, have to be on board with the objective first and foremost. Only then can we sustain ourselves - mentally, socially and economically enough to invite visitors to come and celebrate with us. We need to bring the sense of community back to the Bahamian society to replace all the negativity, dishonesty and selfishness which presently surrounds us. By working together, we can make positive things happen.”