20| The Tribune | Weekend
Friday, November 4, 2016
culture
Artists enjoy exposure at BNT festival By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net
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ESPITE a few rain showers throughout the day, Bahamians still came out to support the 26th annual Wine and Art Festival in great numbers last Saturday. Held at the Bahamas National Trust grounds on Village Road, the festival featured wine from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Argentina, Chile, Italy, France and the United States; a special culinary demonstration by Chef Owen Bain of Cassava Grille, and a range of international dishes and live music. But as with every year, the highlight of the event was once again the diverse collection of Bahamian art on display. Raquel Rolle, administrative assistant at the BNT, said art enthusiasts are always very interested in purchasing pieces to showcase in their homes for the holidays, especially those living abroad who want to take a little bit of the Bahamas with them. “We have people that plan for this every year. They come with their pocket books and they are ready to buy. It is really good for the artists. The proceeds that we get from the gate and the registration with the artists we use to go back into maintaining the park systems here in the Bahamas,” said Ms Rolle. One of this year’s participating vendors, Imogene Walkine, said Bahamian talent is rich and varied, and it is great to have an opportunity like the festival to better acquaint the public with the work of local artists. “I have ceramic platters on display, some are decorative and wall-hung. Today I hope people will also be aware of the ceramic art form because it is not as popular as painting. I think that people will come to appreciate it more and be excited about its possibilities,” said Imogene. Just aside Imogene’s booth were artists Tia Sawyer and Mecko Gibson displaying some of their best drawings and paintings. “My artwork is lively. You see people walk around every day and you see these faces all the time, and you’re like, ‘I wonder what that story is.’ So for me I just take ideas and features and put