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HomeNewsArchivesFort Frederik Art Show Wraps Up With A Flourish

Fort Frederik Art Show Wraps Up With A Flourish

Aug. 28, 2008 — About 50 St. Croix residents Wednesday attended the closing of the Society of Caribbean Artists (SOCA) exhibit at Fort Frederik, where they saw intricate beadwork, watercolors, photographic works and statues of mocko jumbies.
"This was a first, bringing everybody together — artists and the community," said Nii Ahene, a founder of SOCA. "We also brought known and not so well-known artists together."
But an hour into the show the artist of darkness struck — WAPA. All the lights went out, and the gallery and courtyard were nearly pitch black. Art patrons huddled around a flashlight at the refreshment table trying to determine whether they were getting white or red wine.
Luckily, within about 20 minutes the lights came back on. Many patrons went up to the upper level of the fort where they could watch the rough waves of the night hit the breakwall on the west shore.
"SOCA has been a driving force for more exposure of the fort," said Yulette George, associate curator of the fort. "It is great that such an historic site is used as a cultural center." George said probably close to 700 people had passed through the doors of the fort during the month-long show.
SOCA, a visual arts organization, is made up of a group of artists based at Fort Frederik Museum, founded in 2006 by Norma Krieger, Maud Pierre-Charles, Roy Lawaetz and Nii Ahene. They are well-known professional artists who formed a core team spearheading the effort to build a successful visual arts organization in the territory. SOCA's mission is to foster and promote the artistic expressions of the Caribbean visual artist and Caribbean aesthetics.
The show opened July 27 with hands-on workshops, music and panel discussions with local artists.
"I was really impressed with the exhibition and arts fest," said Nadia Bougouneau. She went on to say artist Phyllis Biddle helped her daughter, Cereyna, create five lovely watercolor paintings in her workshop during the arts fest.
"The show has been a Caribbean experience to savor and enjoy that generated a lot of interest," said Krieger. "There is no need for words."
Artists showcased included Biddle, Lourdes Neugart, Danica David, Sue Snow, El'Roy Simmonds, Preston Doane, Pedra Chaffers, Ademola Olugebefola, Marjorie Robbins, Yemaha Jones, Avelino Samuels, Willard and Curliss John, Chouquette Giraud and Judy Bain.
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