PICTURED ABOVE : Visual Arts Officer Rodney Ifill is supervising the Dray Cart construction and design being done by local talent Anthony Payne.
Date: June 30, 2023
Headline: Massive art reveal at Crop Over launch
With so many exciting reasons to attend the Digicel Ceremonial Delivery
of the Last Canes and Vintage Tent on July 1, the National Cultural
Foundation (NCF) has added the unveiling of a massive art installation,
produced by a team of this country’s top shelf artists.
As the countdown continues to the official launch of the 2023 Crop Over
Festival at Hayman’s Factory, St Peter, the fine artists team of Shane
Eastmond, Don Small, Christina Murray and Heather-Dawn Scott are
putting the finishing touches on what is expected to be the most stunning
mural created in recent times. It will reflect the theme of the ceremony –
Sugar Reimagined.
Oneka Small, the NCF’s curator who leads this component of the Digicel
Ceremonial Delivery of the Last Canes and Vintage Tent explained the
NCF provided the vision board for the four artists to capture the aesthetics
of this year’s theme.
Ceremonial Delivery of the Last Canes and Vintage Tent
“They have working around the clock to produce this mural which is inspire
by the theme Sugar Reimagined. They have spearheaded the design
using digital technology process,” she explained.
Crop Over sponsors Berger Paints Barbados Ltd is also supporting the art
project by providing all the paint products required to complete the huge
production which will take a place of prominence in the factory yard.
Small praised the efforts of the NCF’s Chief Executive Officer Carol
Roberts to ensure greater prominence and inclusion of visual arts in the
Crop Over Festival.
Meanwhile, Visual Arts Officer Rodney Ifill is supervising the Dray Cart
construction and design being done by local talent Anthony Payne. The
decorated Dray Cart will be featured in the colourful and historical
procession into the factory yard.
Patrons attending the official Crop Over opening at the expansive grounds
of Hayman’s Factory, will also be treated to a slew of activities.
Activities such as the Bajan Marketplace with vendors, demonstrations,
workshops, Millennial Hub, Chefs’ Corner and musical presentations from
the Barbados Police Service Band will begin from 2 p.m.
However, the colourful highly anticipated parade, featuring a dramatic dray
cart production carrying the last canes of the 2023 sugar crop commences
at 4 p.m.
That procession along the driveway to factory yard will feature the Zouave
Band of the Barbados Defence Force, tuk bands, stilt walkers, stick lickers,
shaggy bears, dancers, the Barbados Landship, the honourees of
Barbados’ sugar industry, along with a contingent from the Sons of God
Apostolic Spiritual Baptist Church who will lead the blessing of the last
canes.
Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley addresses the event and declares Crop
Over 2023 officially open, launching the Caribbean’s sweetest summer
festival.
Hayman’s the site of Digicel Ceremonial Delivery of the Last Canes and
Vintage Tent is a beautifully restored sugar factory where Hayman’s
Market is situated in the heart of St Peter. It is one of the largest
repurposing projects in Barbados, which has been transformed into a
destination of retail, dining, offices, apartments, community facilities and
cultural venues. It features an indoor marketplace, bakery, butchery, bars,
coffee shops, fitness centre, supervised kids centre and much more.
If you are among the thousands expected to converge on Hayman’s
Factory on Saturday, there is no need to worry about transportation to the
venue.
The Transport Board will provide a consistent bus service to and from
Hayman’s Factory on the following routes:
- Princess Alice Bus Terminal – Rock Hall.
- Speightstown Terminal – Rock Hall
- Oistins and Speightstown Terminals – ABC Highway
(PR)
