Andros Artisan Association
Our Organization
The Andros Artisan Association (AAA) was formed in January 2021 as an essential element of Component 3 of the Bahamas Pine Islands Project (BPIP) www.bpiproject…. which deals with the promotion, marketing, and sustainability of the Indigenous Bahamian Straw Palms, in particular the Silver Top Palm (Coccothrinaxargentata).
The Association is comprised of skilled artisans from the Island of Andros, Bahamas, in particular those residing in the unique Settlement of Red Bays. The Association’s mandate is to: promote Androsian artisans and their indigenous authentically handmade products, locally, nationally, regionally and internationally; and its aims are to:
*protect the pine forests and act as its wardens and keepers;
*utilize proper harvesting methods are used to ensure sustainability of the resource;
*preserve and impart the history and heritage of the Red Bays Seminole ancestry throughout the generations;
*promote awareness and protection of all other natural resources.
Component 3 of the BPIP is managed by a team from the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC), the Department of Forestry, and Creative Nassau (CN) who have successfully partnered with the artisans over the past three years.
We invite the public to peruse the site, learn more, and support these amazing artisans!
Page photograph above copyright P. Neko Meicholas, 2019
“The Andros Artisan Association is a key player in the rejuvenation of Bahamian Straw Craft.”
— Creative Nassau
OUR MEMBERS
The BPIP Team first travelled to Red Bays Andros in September 2019 to meet with the artisans and stakeholders to discuss the Project. Regular scheduled trips (January/February 2020/ 2021) were made to gradually expand the scope of the Project and engage with stakeholders to meet the proposed criteria. As a result, the members of AAA have become like ‘family’ as we proudly watched the Project develop and advance towards the goals.
In February, Norma Jean Knowles, Chair of the AAA travelled from Red Bays to Nassau as a guest artisan of the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association’s Tru Tru Bahamian Festival www.trutrubahamianfest.com where for two days at the Creative Nassau booth she was able to showcase the amazing straw products from her settlement as well as engage with the public (local as well as international) over the weekend of February 8 & 9.
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
The unprecedented arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic threw the Project’s momentum off kilter during late 2020 and 2021. Thankfully, however, the use of social media was a way to continue the conversation as the artisans became eagerly engrossed in business training with Master Business Trainer, Donald Demeritte, along with merchandising with the Craft Cottage ladies, research, filming, interviews and so much more!
In December 2021, Norma Jean Knowles also travelled to Nassau as the official representative of the AAA, having been chosen as one of almost 90 artisans for Nassau Cruise Port’s Authentically Bahamian Trade Fair that was held in the Grand Ballroom at Atlantis, Paradise Island on the weekend of December 11 and 12. Products made by various Androsian artisans were displayed and sold during that very successful weekend! See the NEWS Page for more information and photos!
