The Innate Empowerment of Art| Vanoulst House Mural
Vanouslt House Mural themed “Women and Youth in Agriculture”
In many walks of life, art is seen utilised as a tool for empowerment, community outreach and to some a saviour, enabling expression and showcasing talent. And it is with the spirit of communal effort and perseverance that WAA has successfully unveiled another mural.
“We believe as artists in the power of imagination, and we believe that art is a medium, a tool that can help us make those dreams become a vision.. Help us to recreate the past so that we don’t forget it and create the future before we see it.”
This profound statement captures a fragment of the essence that WAA represents as it strives to push art to the forefront in Dominica, highlighting its importance in creating a space for all creatives to express, motivate, and empower.
In collaboration with the World University Services of Canada (WUSC) under the Sustainable Agriculture in the Caribbean Project (SAC), WAA created a magnificent mural with the theme “Women and Youth in Agriculture”.
Initially planned as a billboard, the mural’s idea exceeded the conformity of such and became a large-scale project that now resides on Vanoulst’s House at Charles Avenue in Goodwill. It is the first of its kind since the late Alwin Bully’s mural on the Treasury Building almost thirty years ago.
Theme
“It is also extremely important for us and me in particular as a woman to be represented. Men are the default sex in representation. We don’t even notice how we are used to not seeing women (represented) doing actions.”
The glorious mural stands true to the theme; a testament to the strength and endurance of female farmers in our heritage and even at present day, where agriculture remains a prime focus for many as a main source of income.
This sentiment was echoed by many who attended the unveiling, particularly the female farmers. Oftentimes, when one thinks of farming, one thinks of male farmers, but that is not always the case. Dominica’s women farmers remain resolute and resilient in the trade, with numerous women-focused farming groups sprouting around the various farming communities of the island.
The power lies in those hands to tend the earth and reap the benefits of patience, practice and perseverance. But it also is important that longevity is practised with agricultural customs as seen by the three generations of women on the mural who have kept the culture alive signifying the united effort to preserve the tradition of agriculture among youth in Dominica.
The mural, one could say can be summarised in these few words: “Tall is her body, handing down the magic of agriculture from generation to generation, governed by the lunar cycles coupled with grit and resilience.”
President of the Dominica National Council of Women, Vanya David pointed out that her favourite part of the mural is the tall female figure seen wielding a cutlass to harvest a bunch of bananas, a significant crop in the agricultural history of Dominica.
The Hands Behind the Scenes
The mural could not have been possible without the efforts of the following talented artists and members of WAA:
Annalisa Jensen - Project Manager; Communications, Designing, Painting
OMtNI (Lowell Royer) - Lead Artist; Designing, Painting
Carol Sorheindo - Sketching, Painting
Susanne Heitz - Sketching
Aaron Hamilton - Painting
Edward Collins - Painting
Roquan Joseph- Painting
Sandra Vivas - Technical Assistance
WAA is grateful for the opportunity to showcase the limitless talent of its wonderfully knit members and continues to look for avenues where the visual art form can be used to advocate for causes and bring to light various topics within the community, for local, regional and international recognition in a positive, progressive light.
