Welcome to Mixed Media, the official blog of The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (NAGB).

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Work-Study Student: Lydia Rolle




Okay, how can I begin, but to say how I loved my job training experience. Day one of my job training I had a wonderful chance to meet Miss Pratt. She is a kind and very sweet person to meet and know. My first day on Tuesday at The National Art Gallery was a little bit boring. I was getting to know everybody since I am the new girl, but I got a chance to look around and see the most amazing pictures, drawings, and paintings. Later that day I read up on one of the greatest Bahamian artist in The Bahamas, Mr Amos Ferguson. I’ve learnt that he was born in Exuma, that his father was a pastor, he has fourteen brothers and sisters, and he first started painting when he was painting on a house and a vision came to him where Jesus was coming from the sea with a painting in his hands. My second day at The National Art Gallery which was a Wednesday, the fun began. I had a next wonderful chance to meet Miss Wright, Miss A. Wallace-Whitfield and Ms Benjamin. At the start of the day, I worked with Miss Benjamin, whom is also a sweet, nice and very humble woman. She showed me how to send a file, edit your work, and how to save it.

Later that day, I got to help hang and paint with two young ladies-Miss Wright and Miss Wallace-Whitfield-whom I came to love like sisters. Miss Wright is a hard worker. When she comes to work, she really comes to “work”. Miss Wallace-Whitfield is a very funny person, who is always happy. Everyday that I am here, I look forward to see her, because I know she is coming to make me smile and have fun. I am very sad to know that I wouldn’t be able to see all these fine and wonderful people whom I have worked with in this week. I love The National Art Gallery because I am doing something that I love.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Intern Blog: Sherkeem Rahming



Hello, my name is Sherkeem Rahming and I am 16 years of age. I am also a proud member of the student body of Charles. W. Saunders Baptist School located on Jean Street. I am an aspiring artist who also finds interest in photography and music but art revolves around everything, which is why it is my passion. As a requirement for my school, I have been assigned to do job training at any local constitution which interest me most so I made my decision to work at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas because of my interest and recommendation from my art teacher. This job training experience duration is with a week time (5 days). Based on my performance an evaluation form will be filled out by my superior and it will be returned to the school. My superior insisted that I do a blog pertaining to what I’ve done and learnt in return for the evaluation form. Based on my assignments given to me, I’ve learned many things about The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, The Artist and their paintings, The Central Bank etc, but firstly I’d like to give my known information about the artist, Kishan Munroe.
         Kishan Munroe is an internationally known Artist from Nassau, Bahamas. At the age of 18, Mr. Munroe pursued his career as an aspiring artist, double-majoring in Painting and Visual effects at the Savannah College of Art and Design, he successfully completed his undergraduate work with honors in 2003. He had also completed his graduate studies in Painting in 2005. In doing so, Mr. Munroe’s work has been exhibited internationally and has claimed many awards from the Bahamas his college etc. For my opinion of Mr. Munroe, I see him as a traveller who studies his art and gathers his information based on what his next piece will be on. Kishan’s most recent Paintings and photography was entitled “Swan Song of the Flamingo, It took him 3 years to complete this theme. The theme was entirely made based on the history of The Sinking of HMBS Flamingo and its Roots in United States, Cuba and Bahamas relationships. The sinking of HMBS Flamingo is an historic and grief memory for Bahamians. During this incident, Cubans were illegally fishing (poaching) in Bahamian waters but restrained and ignored when Bahamian marines sent out orders to stop, with no response Bahamian marines disabled the Cuban vessel and discovered 3,000 pounds of fish lobster and conch onboard. On the way to Cay Santo Domingo, Cuban jets seized fire upon the vessel in which the Bahamian Marines were on, Amos Rolle ordered his men to abandon ship but unfortunately 4 of the 19 marines were absent and not to be found by Bahamian and American rescue teams.
        
On a trip with my superior, we travelled to the Central Bank but on our way there we made a stop to Antonius Roberts staying place at the time, Mr. Roberts is also an internationally known Bahamian Artist with years of experience imbued in his sculpturing hands. He was born in Nassau in 1958 and he received his BFA in Painting from Philadelphia College of Arts. He played a major role in the restoration of Villa Doyle as it progressed to being The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas. Over the years of sculpting and painting, Mr. Roberts as grown to be a prestigious award winner internationally and locally, whether its being invited to participate in an event or doing it just for the feel of it, he is always been one to open eyes in amazement. During 2008, Mr. Roberts had been featured in the documentary film “Artist of The Bahamas”. This film explores the distinctive 11 Master Artist of The Bahamas. As of recently, Mr Roberts was working at Baha Mar doing a project, a major resort developer in Cable Beach, embraces his belief conservation and his desire to mentor younger aspiring Bahamian artist. He mentors 12 aspiring craftsmen to build benches out of disregarded wood. Based on given knowledge about Antonius Roberts my opinion of him his clear. He makes use of anything that can be used rather than disregard it and make better use of it. On my experience visiting his place I’ve noticed all of the chairs and trees in which he had made by hand, making coral out of limestone, all sorts of creative things. He is an adventurous man and likes to explore new techniques in which he can create art with.
       
To conclude, based on where I see myself in the future as an artist in different fields, I see my self in Atlanta on SCAD’s campus. Surely I’ve had thoughts about why I would like to go to SCAD. Firstly I would like to state that the actually vision was placed in my head when my teacher, Mr. Rolle had told me about SCAD from then I had imagined myself on their campus all around exploring and learning more about art. Since it was just my teachers opinion I had decided to check out SCAD for myself on their website and on youtube. I am positive there had not been anything I’ve seen that I had not liked, with an exception of the intuition. Shortly after my imagination had lead me down the path of pursuing my destination to SCAD my teacher had invited Brandy, One of the administrators at SCAD Atlanta, she had briefly explained to me the courses SCAD provides and how they can benefit you. She was already a nice lady who drew my attention with kindness and a smile, soon realizing she is the one who provides international and local students with scholarships. I found an opportunity which had made me want to go even more. Meeting Kishan, he had also explained to me why I should not get my dreams fixated on SCAD, I should explore more colleges abroad and see where I can get my moneys worth for the things I love to do. With this knowledge from Kishan, I’ve decided that SCAD will still be my top college for the time being in which I would like to go to but I still will check out other colleges. What will determine if I will pursue my dream of going on SCAD will be the Summer program what they will be having. I will attend and We’ll see what all they have to offer.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Bahamian Students Exhibit Work in Japan


In continuation with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s art theme, “The Journey Continues” for the Bahamas’ 40th year of Independence, the exhibition has continued in a foreign venue. The inaugural exhibition opened at The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas on October 21st, 2013, in collaboration with the Education Department here at the NAGB.


For information on this great achievement by our students, please click here.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

NAGB Work Studies Student: Aliyah Bevans


My experience as an intern at the National Art Gallery Bahamas, was a phenomenal one. On the first day, February 3, 2014, I took a tour of the building for the first time. Just walking through the gallery was fascinating, seeing the strange, yet intriguing designs of some of the best artist in The Bahamas and some who even worked here.  When I went upstairs to the exhibition Swan Song of The Flamingo, based on the sinking of the flamingo, I was shocked at the information displayed that I was not previously aware of. Walking through the exhibition, made me feel as though I was experiencing this incident.




After, I typed out my intentions until I left for the day at 4. Day 2, morning I typed out a biography on the artist who caught my attention the most and why. I then went on to library work, where I copied newspaper articles about art and culture and sorted them to be put in a folder. My third day was another wonderful day. First, I had to finish off the library work then I got a chance to assist with a tour. Later that day, I helped to prepare for a valentine’s programme that would be held at the gallery on Saturday, by cutting hearts. Day 4, I had to finish prepare for the programme, cutting out different designs for another creative piece. My last day here, February 7, 2014, I packed candy bags for the programme, made corrections to the minor mistakes on the other designs and get everything sorted out for the day. After which, I sat and typed my blog about my experience. To sum things up it was a magnificent week.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Kareem Mortimer's Short film: "Passage"


Screening of young, award-wining Bahamian filmmaker Kareem Mortimer's short film "Passage," which tackles the harrowing subject of immigration; the 15-minute film will be preceded by a "making-of" that explores the director's motivation. Following the screenings, which will take place in the T1-Ballroom Gallery at 6 p.m. on Thursday, January 23rd, there will be a panel discussion, moderated by radio personality Louby Georges, host of "The Creole Connection" on Guardian Talk Radio 96.9, with participants including the film's director; R.E. Barnes from Amnesty International; Erin Greene, the interim Deputy Chairman of CARFA; and a representative from the United Haitian-Bahamian Association. WE invite you to attend and participate in this very important discussion. 


If you have a Facebook account, and would like to let us know you are coming, click here.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Christmas Inspiration!

Happy Holidays From the NAGB!




Christmas Greetings,
& Some Yummy Holiday Eatings.
Pine Tree with Candied Sweets,
Ornaments and Some Real Good Treats.

These are a few of NAGB's Favorite Christmas Inspirations!
Recipes, Recycling, & Rumcake!





Thursday, November 28, 2013

Fall Inspiration from NAGB

Love the fall/winter season? Love the colors, scents, and weather? NAGB has picked some of it's top favorite Do-It-Yourself Home decor Crafts. Great for artists, parents, kids, and simply all who love crafts. Here are our favorite home decor craft ideas:


By carving out the center of apples or other appropriate vegetables/fruits and placing tea candles in them creates a fall inspired, natural and native look to room decor, as well as great scents and unique lighting!


By simply placing autumn leaves in lamp shade, we love the silhouette effect created!
 


Keep your wines on display? Or send them as gifts for season greetings? Simply using hemp to wrap leaves and twigs to bottle creates an elegant and appropriate design for the time of year!


By pasting leaves around outer walls of empty jar and placing candles inside creates a seasonal dim lighting for a room, and brings nature inside!


Love recycling? By using empty clean bottles, you can paint the outside of them with autumn colors and place flowers, twigs, leaves, etc, to create a low cost and eye catching table centerpiece


 Tired of an excess of empty chocolate and cookie containers or simply using them for storage after the holidays? Use them for wall decals! By purchasing ones with already appropriate fall outer designs or wrapping with fall inspired paper and by either hanging from a string or on a hook you can make these tins into attractive wall candle, picture, or decor shelves/holders.

We hope our favorites help brighten up your home and get your home fall ready!
Craft well, and design happily!
& To all a seasons greetings from the NAGB !