Anthea McGibbon, Gleaner Writer

These two pieces were done by Haitian artist, Antonio Imbert, who lives in Jamaica. - Roger Robinson/Freelance Photographer

A STROLL in the craft markets along the north coast, from Ocho Rios to Negril, clues you in on a moistening bone of contention among vendors and tourist industry players. Evidently, craft as an art expression is being put to the test.

Ideally craft, whether as a souvenir, gift or as an authentic piece of art, should connect visitors to our culture. Senior collector, Wallace Campbell, even suggests that our craft in terms of carvings "is more authentic than our paintings in the tourist industry, where there is a market for art tourism beyond doubt".

Craft in Jamaica, Campbell says, should be explored to the similar depths as in other countries such as Cuba and Haiti. Observing that craft, unlike painting, is more standardised and consistent in quality, he said where good craft has been identified, some collectors have invested as much as J$40,000 on one piece from that particular craftsman.

In some countries, such items are not even considered works of art but rather 'visual culture' or even 'culture material'.

Sadly, however, local craft markets such as Ocho Rios are labelled as a 'black eye'. Further, that most locations allocated for craft vendors are breeding grounds for concerns among businesspersons, tourists and hoteliers.

Blocked lines of communication between vendors and businesspersons further complicates the problem, and in fact, the large number of persons with whom Sunday Arts spoke were willing to comment on the issues only if they are presented 'faceless' (anonymous).

On the one hand, the departure from authentic craft tops the list of concerns among hoteliers, tourists, store and attraction operators; while on the other, craft vendors expressed frustrations due to "poor sales and lack of recognition".

Families rely on industry

Vice-president of the Island's Craft Vendors Association, Melody Haughton, says that there are 5,000 families relying on earnings from the industry. Batting for local artists and craftspersons, generally, she claims they are collectively being "exploited and extorted" by major players along the coast.

Some vendors claim disrespect, saying they are abandoned by the "powers that be". They criticise the Government (former) for not formulating policies to protect them, as well as artisans and artists. They are also at odds with the Jamaica Tourist Board, for not promoting them enough. Emphasising their injuries, a substantial number of vendors in the markets say the tourists are being diverted, denying them the opportunity to 'eat and live' better.

As a result, they say they are unable to pay their monthly stall rental, for which, they claim, penalties apply.

Poor conditions

The 'chi-chi-devoured' conditions of the shops at the Pineapple Grove market observed by Sunday Arts reflect negatively on the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), which is responsible for its maintenance, as well as maintenance of the craft markets.

In response, the UDC says that plans are under way to upgrade the market. Doreen O'Connor, director corporate relations, says, "The UDC, through our regional company, St. Ann Development Company, is working in collaboration with the Tourism Product Development Company on the upgrading project for the craft markets in Ocho Rios."

She added, however, that "although the UDC in our community outreach programme does, from time to time, offer capacity building training for craft vendors at some craft markets, we are not, in fact, integrally involved in or responsible for craft products and standards."

Easier shopping

Craft vendors and artisans operating within selected all-inclusive hotels, however, have differing views from the craft vendors. All-inclusive hotels, with one exception, facilitate a select group of craft vendors to operate within their hotels, on specific days. Vendors on at least two properties are even allowed to hold classes for paying tourists, for which they have no financial obligation to the hotels. The rationale is that it is easier shopping for their guests.

This arrangement, some managers say, arose out of concern for their guests, who feel "intimated by the conditions and personalities within the markets, as well as, lack of variety".

But, according to Haughton, the all-inclusive arrangement is "killing the craft markets". In defence, president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, Horace Peterkin, suggests, "The problem is that most craft markets do not provide a good experience, hence nearly all properties have a craft day or assign a good selection of vendors on the property to provide the service without harassment."

Jamaicans too, in appreciation of local art, embrace the opportunity to buy craft almost anywhere along the north coast. Many are, however, put off by the lack of variety and the quality of items on sale. This may be attributed to the fact that many vendors are mere middle agents for artists. The lack of proper business sense among craft vendors is also highlighted as a limiting factor.

The in-bond shops have been accused of selling craft items mass-produced abroad from local designs, and sold at a cheaper price than authentic originals offered by some craft vendors. The vendors claim that "the Indians sell the craft through souvenir gift shops owned by in-bond store owners". Additionally, the in-bond store owners have been criticised for using their money to lure cruise ship visitors away from the craft markets.

No craft at in-bond shops

Sunday Arts has, however, learnt that in-bond shops, in accordance with law, do not sell craft items, and only on very few occasions, do they offer selected craft items as gifts to "big spenders such as cruise ship operators".

An experienced store owner tells Sunday Arts of earlier days of tourism when blouses were creatively painted, or decorated with appliqué, unlike the "cheap manufacturing and reproduction of T-shirts and designs generated as 'craft'."

Regarding the claim by vendors that guests are being lured away from select craft markets, one owner of four in-bond stores says he "ensures that all tourists and visitors to his stores, visit the craft markets". Added to this, another Montego Bay store owner informs us of the 'fully operational' shuttle system available to take visitors from the hotels to the markets.

Anthea McGibbon, a graduate of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, has over 10 years' experience in the fields of journalism and the arts. Contact her at islandartattack@yahoo.co.uk or anthea.mcgibbon@gleanerjm.com.