The Mexican Institute in Belize City plays host to an impressive exhibit of the works of Belizean women artists whose creations are being showcased in the Women in Art Exhibit, organized by the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) as a part of Women’s Month 2009. “Women and art, whether we look at these two words individually or collectively, have always been undervalued, under appreciated, and quite often misunderstood. When we think of female artists in Belize, the names Rachel Heusner and Carolyn Carr, to many are perhaps the only names that come to mind,” said Icilda Humes, Director of the Women’s Department, in the keynote address. “…there has not been enough done to feature the work and talent of women who perhaps have not been able to reach the stature of prominence as others.” Humes said that it has been a while since such a showcase of women’s art has been organized, and she applauded NICH for resurrecting exhibition as a part of Women’s Month 2009.
The event is the first highlight of a month of activities being spearheaded through the collaborative partnership of the Women’s Department, the National Women’s commission, the Women’s Issues Network and NICH.
(International Women’s Day was celebrated on Monday, March 8, and the full calendar of events is available in at least the last two issues of the Amandala.)
Mexican Ambassador, Luis Manuel Lopez Moreno, gave the welcome remarks, which was followed by a video montage of Belizean artists and their works.
Poet Angela Gegg recited two pieces: Baby Mama, Baby Drama; and You Are the Bain of My Existence.
After the performances, NICH president, Diane Haylock, gave the vote of thanks, and expressed her appreciation to all the people who contributed to making the event a success, especially the many women artists, and curator, Gilvano Swasey.
Haylock also welcomed home Belizean writer, Zoila Ellis, based in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and her husband, Mike Brown, Minister of National Mobilization in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
After the formalities, the ribbon was cut for the opening of a three-part, audio-visual exhibit featuring the works of an array of women artists, including digital photography works of Mrs. Myrtle Palacio, Carolyn Carr, Winsom Winsom, Nashanda Higinio, Mary Sabal, Ingrid Cayetano, and much more.
Some highlights are Sabal’s ethnic and folkloric dolls, Cayetano’s fine needlework, and Higinio’s rich oil paintings.
Belizeans are invited to see the exhibit, which runs through to April 2.
NICH has organized two activities for Women’s Month. Apart from tonight’s exhibit, NICH is also presenting the grand Women in Art Showcase at the Bliss on Friday, March 27, featuring performing artist, Billie Jean Young, the first Black graduate of Judson College in Marion, Alabama, USA, performing Three Women Talking.
Belizean artists featured on the line-up are the Belize Dance Company, Samantha Smith, Tanya Carter, Angela Gegg and Adele Ramos.