Future of TCI: Arts, Culture & Entertainment
“Culture is fluid. No one is born with culture,” said David Bowen, who spent 14 years leading TCI’s Department of Culture, during a panel discussion last week at On Island. “But there are key things that are part of our culture and our identity,” David said.
Despite its small size and the common misconception that the Turks and Caicos are a Caribbean nation, our islands have a unique culture all their own. And from Grand Turk to South Caicos, Providenciales to Salt Cay, TCI is home to some exceptionally talented artists and entrepreneurs.
The second of On Island’s “Future of TCI” series occurred last week, with this discussion covering local arts, culture, and entertainment.
David Bowen was one of four community members, each representing a different discipline within the arts, culture, and entertainment industry. He was joined by performing artist Tess Charles, visual artist Hezron Henry, and Anya Willique, an entrepreneur, designer, and maker.
All four panelists have worked tirelessly for years, never losing sight of their ‘why,’ allowing each of them to master their craft. They joined an engaged audience last week at On Island , discussing how to revitalize the arts and culture industry, how to empower local artists, and how to bring them together to boost the industry.
On the Culture side
For many years, David Bowen has been committed to keeping local culture alive throughout TCI. But with our small islands growing at such a rapid rate, somewhere along the way, TCI shifted its culture to accommodate tourism. Whereas events of yesteryear once celebrated local food, music, fashion and art, David said, cultural festivals today have lost their original meaning and switched their focus to cater to tourism.
What does that look like? Less culture, more drinking. Less art that celebrates the true TCI experience, more sun, sand and seascapes. And while there’s no doubt our beaches are world-class and worthy of celebration, there’s so much more to our islands.
For example, David noted, look at rake and scrape music, which is a Bahamian tradition. Many don’t realize it’s borrowed from rip saw music, which originates in TCI.
On the Entertainment side
TCI is also home to a thriving community of creatives trying to find the best way to come together to empower and support one another. And that’s why performing artist Tess started BYOC (Bring Your Own Creativity)—a gathering of local artists who come together to perform and celebrate each other’s creativity, whether it’s singing, writing poetry, or playing a musical instrument. The goal of the event is to provide a safe haven for creatives, a place where they can be themselves and celebrate each other’s talents.
“I felt alone,” Tess said of why she started BYOC. “I needed a church for creatives.” So she went out on a limb and found she wasn’t alone after all. But how does she envision the future of TCI’s arts, culture and entertainment industry? How can it continue to grow?
“As a performing artist, I would like to see togetherness,” Tess said. “Everyone doing their part. I want for there to be light for everyone to see.”
And with togetherness comes empowerment, support and mentorship.
On the Arts Side
Mentorship in particular was a critical part of designer and maker Anya Willique’s entrepreneurship journey, which led to the launch of her luxury brand Willique that produces sustainable handbags and resort wear. It’s important to the growth of any artist, she said, empowering creatives on both the individual and community level. When we empower others, it allows us to reflect on ourselves, it invites growth, and it encourages creatives to embrace their authentic selves.
So how does Anya embrace her authenticity as a creative?
“Sustainability is at the forefront of all my designs,” she said, combined with a focus on longevity and durability. Anya designs pieces that capture the essence of who she is and her experiences.
Living in Grand Turk, Anya recently began a rehabilitation program for those in prison. The sewing program, “One Stitch at a Time,” is dedicated to providing these individuals with a skillset that they can apply in the real world after leaving prison. It provides them with paid work, giving them the opportunity to send money to their families and to find a sense of purpose again.
Meanwhile, visual artist Hezron learned to embrace his own authenticity through painting. Through his art, Hezron celebrates our history and captures the human experience with vivid color and emotion.
“It all comes back to TCI as a community not appreciating the visual aspects that reflect the inherent culture of TCI,” he said. “All of my work has focused on community reflection within my stories and the context of my cultural and individual identity.”
Hezron’s art is serving as a form of education, capturing history that isn’t taught in TCI’s school curriculum.
For other TCI artists in the industry, Hezron offered this piece of advice: Tell your community’s stories. Share your community’s culture. And many will find the international art market appreciates and values local artistry.
Hezron also shared the importance of integration when it comes to people who come to TCI and choose to make the islands their home. Embracing integration invites community, and that’s exactly what he’d like to see.
Hezron isn’t alone in his vision. What he and our other three panelists share in common: They identified their authentic “WHY” and were consistent in embracing and following it. They have worked their way up or launched something of their own, both being a commitment to their art form and a commitment to making something better. Each changemaker has used their art and creativity to break down walls around them.
With education, policy, mentorship and most importantly a sense of community, we believe this industry will flourish in the years to come.
As David eloquently put it: “We are at a crossroads right now, and all it takes is coming together.”
It is important to note the intent behind these panel discussions is two-fold. It’s a start at bringing our diverse community together into one room to share our ideas, perspectives and opportunities in an open, inclusive and authentic manner. We’re creating circles that wouldn’t normally come together to discuss a topic we all have a vested interest in: The Future of TCI. At the end of the day, we are all individuals who not only live in TCI, but who also love these islands and want to see them succeed in every way. On that, we can certainly all agree.