By Shanique Richards
St. Kitts Reporter
The products from various Kittitian craftpersons are slated for the 14th Annual Caribbean Gift and Craft Show (CGCS) being held in Curaçao in September.
St. Kitts Craft House manager, Austin Weekes, told The Observer that they are anticipating that the Craft House and at least two other exhibitors from St. Kitts will be representing the Federation.
“The Craft Show will take place in Curaçao September 27 to 30 and it is expected that there will be at least 200 exhibitors from 25-30 different countries at the event. This will be the fifth year in which St. Kitts participates, and we will be attracting trade buyers from Europe, Canada, United States, and the Caribbean.
“We are positive that we will do exceptionally well. I saw craft from other countries including Curaçao displayed in Barbados three years ago and I am positive that we do have a strong competitive edge. I cannot say for sure exactly how many persons from the Federation will be displaying their work. Registration is done online and is open to anyone wishing to exhibit their products,” he said.
The CGCS was held in St. Kitts last year at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort and all reports indicated that it was a very successful event with approximately 190 exhibitors from 20 different countries.
Weekes listed some of the items that the Craft House would be displaying at the event this year.
“We will be displaying several different types of craft made from leather, wood, coconut, rope, shells, banana leaves and more. We are focusing on utilising as much locally raw product material as possible. Bags, jewellery, leather sandals, belts, banana leaves dolls, rattan dolls, hair accessories, pottery, souvenirs and even hand painted clothing will also be featured.”
Weekes expressed confidence that St. Kitts will be one of best exhibitors at the show as they are arduously preparing their products by integrating the remarkable local creativity found throughout the federation.
