March 1, 2001

By Wallace Williams   
     Videotapes depicting Virgin Islands folk art were presented to the public libraries at a Black History Month program held at the Florence Williams Public Library.  The videotape project which was undertaken by The St.Croix Foundation for Community Development, Roger Dewey, Executive Director and funded by The National Endowment for the Arts, consists of videotaped interviews with a number of local "tradition bearers" who provide informative descriptions of their respective areas of expertise. Gerard Emanuel, the Project Director and Monique Clindinen, project Researcher/Coordinator, are the principal organizers. 

     The tapes depict specialists including: Henry Carter, Farmer/Cultural Philospher; Willard John, Mock Jumbie; Leona Watson, Cariso Expert; Bradley Christian, Quadrille Expert; Stanley Jacobs of Stanley and Ten Sleepless Nights, Quelbe Music; Hugo Doyle, Blacksmithing and Will Thurland, Joinery.

     Each of the public libraries in the Virgin Islands including: The Florence Williams Public Library in Christiansted, St.Croix; The Athalie Petersen Public Library in Frederiksted, St.Croix; The Enid Baa Libraries and Archives in Charlotte Amalie, St.Thomas and The Elaine Ione Sprauve Public Library in Cruz Bay, St.John.

This project was supported by The FRIENDS of the Florence Williams Public Library, in memory of Hugo Doyle.

Henry Carter

Painted by St.Croix artist, Luca Gasperi.  This piece was donated to the Florence Williams Public Library for the St.Croix Art Exchange during National Library Week 2000...Mr. Carter was is pictured here at the function  Photo by: Wallace Williams.

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