Now on the verge of retirement, a group of Antiguan women began to express concern that the seedwork heritage craft, which has its origins in Africa, would be lost if not passed on to the present generation.
The 2017 Venice Biennale Inc. founder and cultural envoy of Antigua & Barbuda, Dr Barbara Paca, swiftly heard their needs and went into action. Identifying this dying art as one urgently in need of preservation, Paca recommended a training program for youth with the expectation that gifted trainees could be encouraged to carry on the national tradition and provide an opportunity for employment and cultural preservation. It is with this in mind that the Seedwork Master Class was conceptualised.
A 4-week training program was designed drawing on the expertise of two remaining local master seedwork artisans. A broad cross-section was canvassed for young persons who were not only interested in learning the craft but were willing to participate in an intensive, personalised workshop to embark on a career path in the industry. Four young persons were identified as suitable candidates for Part 1 of the training programme. This then would be narrowed down to the top two trainees for the more intensive three-week Part 2 component.
The training programme after week one was well received, with two trainees, a male and a female, being identified for the second phase of intensive training for three weeks. The responses were all very positive, and the items produced were of an encouraging quality considering the lack of experience of the young people. The enthusiasm of the master artisans and their apprentices has brought new life to our nation’s heritage seedwork industry. The partnerships developed through the workshop will result in even more significant industry expansion through continued collaboration with Cultural Envoy Dr Barbara Paca.
Our gratitude cannot be expressed enough for the inspiration and tangible support from Dr Paca, the willingness of the Master Artisans to share their talent, and the donations to the workshop by the 2017 Venice Biennale Inc. through The Tides Foundation Gooseberry Services (local sponsor).
The future looks bright.