By Frandelle Gerard | Executive Director
Our project, Invisible Heritage Identity Memory and Our Town continues to be a catalyst for change and growth for the town of Frederiksted and for the community. By convening the community in creative ways, we are building appreciation and support the preservation of our built and natural environment, providing workforce development training and artisanal training, and providing emergent and established artist with opportunities to exhibit their art.
CHANT Building Arts Institute had a successful partnership with The Nature Conservancy, National Trust for Historic Preservation- HOPE Program (Hands on Preservation Experience) with assistance from National Park Service in April 2022. Five CHANT apprentices received on-site training in traditional masonry from David Gibney, a historic restoration specialist and fine artisan who shared his expertise in historic preservation and restoration. The apprentices, Allem Harry, Alfredo Carmona, Jr., Gilberto Harry, Jamahal Sanes, and Matteo Harry under the tutelage of David, brought a crumbling structure back to life in ten days. The broken concrete lintel on the doorway was removed and replaced with steel angle iron lintel and a temporary door frame installed. Then fallen and deteriorated stones were replaced and the entire area was repointed. They replaced broken, missing brick in the structural arch, repaired broken stone steps, giving the structure another 100 years of life. In two weeks, the group completed repairs to an 18th century historic structure and developed expertise in a highly sought after field. According to David Gibney, “These young men are better than many professionals I’ve worked with!”
CHANT Building Arts Institute is pleased to be partnering with The Slave Wrecks Project and the National Park Service to design and build a display case for an exhibit to be installed at the Christiansted National Park. Apprentices will work with a woodworking instructor to execute the design and build of the display case.
We are committed to meeting our goal of providing artisanal training and through workforce development opportunities for residents of Frederiksted and St. Croix.
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