By Frandelle Gerard | Executive Director
CHANT's project, Invisible Heritage Identity Memory and Our Town continues to be a catalyst for change and growth for the town of Frederiksted and the community. By convening the community in creative ways, we are building appreciation and support for the preservation of our built and natural environment; providing workforce development training and artisanal training and; providing emergent and established artists with opportunities to exhibit their art.
The CHANT Building Arts Institute relaunched in-person training and community workshops in February 2022. Artist in residence, Afreekan Southwell led two tracks of training beginning February 1 - March 10, 2022. The Workforce Development Training for young adults between the ages of 18-30 provided instruction and training in the use of wood as a building material and artistic medium. The Woodworking Workshop was open to the public and introduced woodworking, wood turning and three-dimensional wood sculpture. Four young adults participated in the workforce development program and fifteen community members joined the woodworking workshops over the six-week period.
In conjuntion with the Woodworking Workshops, CHANT hosted an art exhibit, “The Functionalities of Art” February 11th – March 10th. The exhibit featured Afreekan Southwell, Victoria Rivera, Jomahal Sanes and “Gyptian”. The opening drew over 100 guests to view the fine art and wood art created for the exhibit. Throughout the month, residents, visitors and student groups visited and experienced the exhibit.
Invisible Heritage Partnerships
In partnership with the Nature Conservancy the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s HOPE Crew embarked on a two-week masonry training at the Estate Little Princess St. Croix, USVI beginning April 19th. In partnership with the CHANT’s (Crucian Heritage and Nature Tourism) Invisible Heritage pre-apprenticeship program, HOPE Crew focused on training five local youth in masonry techniques specifically repointing and repair methods under the guidance of trades expert David Gibney. The trainees excelled under the guidance and tutelage of David Gibney.
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