BAHAMAS NATIONAL TRUST CELEBRATES ART AND NATURE FOR EARTH DAY’S 40 TH ANNIVERSARY AT THE RAND NATURE CENTRE IN FREEPORT.

It has been forty years since the US Senator Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day to promote respect for life on the planet.
Forty years later with Earth Day Network now in the picture, Earth Day 2010 promises to be the largest Earth Day to date, with over a billion people participating in activities worldwide in thousands of places like Kiev, Ukraine; Caracas, Venezuela; Tuvalu; Manila, Philippines; Togo; Madrid, Spain; London, New York and Grand Bahama.


And what will people be doing this April 22, 2010. Earth Day is usually celebrated with outdoor performances, where individuals or groups perform acts of service to earth, planting trees, picking up roadside trash, conducting recycling and conservation programs, petitioning governments for stronger action to important environmental issues.
In Gabon, Africa, it is said that a talking drum chain will travel from village to village encouraging action for growing environmental 

On Grand Bahama we may not see a talking drum traveling about but the Bahamas National Trust is celebrating Earth Day with an invitation to the community to enjoy ART AND NATURE.
From Thursday April 22nd to Saturday April 24th the Grand Bahama Branch of the Bahamas National Trust is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.
Thursday April 22nd, the Glory Banks Art Gallery hosts the Grand Bahama Artists Association Earth Day 2010 Exhibition with artworks that pay tribute to Planet Earth. Special guest for Earth Day 2010 is “Environmentally Conscious” artist, Del Foxton who will showcase her contemporary artworks created from her handmade paper that uses local vegetation. 

Saturday, April 24th at 10.30 am join BNT administrator, Cecilia Bodie, on a nature walk through winding trails that feature native plants and birding sites. Established in 1992, the Rand Nature Centre comprises 100 acres of natural beauty in the heart of downtown Freeport. Come nurture your soul the Earth Day on the trail of this beautiful oasis located on East Settlers Way just across from the Catholic High School.
Providing social commentary has long been the role of art and artists. So to mark Earth Day’s 40th anniversary, the Rand Nature Centre Art Gallery is featuring artworks from the members of the Grand Bahama Artists Association. These talented members of our community are showcasing an eclectic collection of works in a variety of mediums in appreciation for the inspiration our beautiful Earth provides. 

Del Foxton says that her environmentally friendly Artistry in Handmade Paper began as a result of her belief in the saying that if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. When Del saw the opportunity to use discards from her surroundings, Artistry in Handmade Paper took flight.

At her hand papermaking studio and gallery she creates handmade paper for her artworks following the same process as that of the Chinese who first made paper in 105 AD. Del travels to meet and study with International Hand Papermakers and Paper artists to expand and refine her artistry. The papermaking process is simple yet complex but she is fortunate that on Grand Bahama to have year round material from local vegetation to make paper that becomes her canvas and painting medium.
Artistry in Handmade Paper is Del’s passion and she is delighted that in her small way she can honour the
environment while indulging her passion Earth Day and every day. 

Opening hours at the Rand Nature Centre and the Glory Banks Gallery are Monday to Friday hours of 8. 30 to 4.30 pm and on Saturday April 24th from 10 to 4 pm. To learn more about the GBAA Art Exhibition please call 353 4333 or 727 4333.

Unique East End art gallery holding Christmas exhibit

EAST END, Grand Bahama -- Adagio Art Gallery, located in the East End Grand Bahama native settlement of Gambier Point, is hosting the Artist Studio Christmas Exhibit through January 18th 2010. This unique exhibit in a unique location showcases artistic works large and small in a wide price range, with a special something for everyone. To make an appointment for a private showing please call the Gallery at 353 4333/727 4333 (cell) or visit adagioartworks.com

Directions to Adagio Art Gallery, Gambier Point, Grand Bahama:

From the Seahorse Road Traffic Circle travel east along East Sunrise highway for 10.1km/6.3mi to the Cassarina Bridge that crosses over the Grand Bahama Waterway. Continue over the bridge keeping to your left, for 2.4 km/1.5mi until the STOP sign at Grand Bahama Highway.

Turn right and travel along Grand Bahama Highway for 18.5km/11.5 mi to Lucayan National Park. Continue from the Lucayan National Park for 3.5-km/2.2 mi past the colourful Missile Base Library on your right. (END OF BONDED AREA)

Continue straight ahead following a gentle curve to the right for 3.0-km/1.8 miles. Continue past the native settlement of New Freetown until you see the sign welcoming you to GAMBIER POINT.

There are two roads for Gambier Point. Take the second road to the right just past the bus stop. Follow the road, paved, then dirt, right down to Adagio Art Gallery. If you pass a gas station on your left you have gone too far. Turn around and go back to the bus stop, turn left and follow the road to the end.

Summer TO DO: Visit the Exhibition at the Glory Banks Gallery‏

By Del Foxton, GBAA

Freeport, Grand Bahama- Summer is a great time for parents and children together to experience Nature and Art living happily side by side at the Rand Nature Centre

Just minutes from downtown Freeport is an oasis where residents and visitors alike have the opportunity to walk quiet trails through native plants and birding sights.

Although this oasis, the Rand Nature Centre, is known to many, what many not be known is that off the nature trails and into the refreshingly cool Rand’s Visitor Center, there is much to see.

Well known for its award-winning contributions to cultural and educational programs, the Rand Nature Centre has large story boards about Grand Bahama and its eco systems, books and gifts for sale and an Art Gallery.

The Visitor Centre is home to the Glory Banks Art Galley. Glory Banks, herself an artist, was anxious to give Grand Bahama, her adopted home, a centre for art. The Glory Banks Art Gallery was officially opened in February 2008 at the nature preserve on East Settler’s way and has become the Centre for many cultural, educational and artistic exhibits.

Continuing in the Glory Banks Gallery is the exhibition launched June 10th. The Regional Branch of the Bahamas National Trust and the Grand Bahama Artists Association partnered for the “Can Grand Bahama Go Green?” event that celebrated local businesses, artists and committees who are working towards the development of environmental responsibility on Grand Bahama.

The members of the Grand Bahama Artists Association (GBAA), including Environmental Artist Del Foxton, who spoke at the presentation, invite everyone to view their special artworks that present the beauty of our island. To learn more about the initiatives for environmentally friendly art and the GBAA Art Exhibition please call 353 4333.