Floriculture is emerging as a prominent art form in Barbados and the National Cultural Foundation (NCF), will explore the possibility of hosting a flower arranging exhibition as part of this island???s Crop Over Festival.
This was disclosed by Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Stephen Lashley, as he addressed the opening ceremony of Expectations ??? A Show of Floral Art Designs, at the Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus last Friday.
Mr Lashley told those in attendance that floral art was not just agricultural or environmental in nature???but it was also cultural.
???At the moment, it might not feature as prominently as music, or the visual arts, but there is no denying that it is certainly one of the cultural industries of which we must take note,??? he said, calling on the floral arrangers to work closely with the Ministry of Culture and the NCF.
Noting that Barbadians culturally have a love for flowers and plants, he pointed out that the majority of Barbadian households have traditionally been involved in the nurturing and care of colourful blooms such as the hibiscus, poinsettias, and bougainvillea, ???primarily to beautify their homes and gardens???.
He acknowledged the outstanding performance of Barbadian floral arrangers at international competitions such as the World Flower Show and the Chelsea Flower Show and suggested that Barbados needed to pay attention to floriculture since ???it is clear that it is a viable industry??? growing at an impressive rate???.
Adding that floriculture was more than just growing flowers, he explained that it was really flower-farming which included the development of new and traditional blooms for the floral industry.
The Culture Minister expressed a desire to see more exhibitions such as Expectations ??? A Show of Floral Art Designs, and pointed out such events should inspire other persons to experiment with the art form and the creation of new species of flowers and plants.
???They will recognise that floriculture can have a market as well as aesthetic value, and can, therefore, provide a valuable source of income,??? he emphasised.
shamkoe.pile@barbados.gov.bb