Library gives new artists exposure

With the Belizean art scene in a state of steady expansion and the nation’s library system aggressively developing new activities, it seems only natural that the two trends would eventually collide. And that’s exactly what’s happening this month upstairs at the Leo Bradley Library in Belize City.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting

If you’re looking for a painting by Nicholas, Cayetano or Carr…forget it. This show celebrates the achievements by some unknown, but very creative individuals from across the country.

Glen Barrera, Library Assistant

“The main idea behind the exhibition is to promote local artists. And especially those that are not really established, because most of the time you always hear about Steven Okeke or guys like Yasser. But you have individuals, like from the district of San Antonio, from Pueblo Viejo that have some neat paintings that people do not really know about. So we are putting this avenue for them to promote their stuff and at the same time get established and then people could be aware of them.”

Two of those artists, Urbano Mai and Augustine Howe have been painting for several years. But it’s the first time that any of their pieces have been put on display. Mai and Howe, who live in San Antonio, in the Cayo District both enjoy painting Belize’s wildlife.

Library Assistant Glen Barrera says it was a painstaking task finding the artists, but no matter how difficult the job, at the end of the day, it was worth it.

Glen Barrera

“On several occasion, you got to make trips all the way to San Antonio Columbia and it’s tiring. I spent some nights there in the jungle trying to find people just to get their stuff on the market. And make lot of phone calls, and sometimes in those areas they don’t have no phones, so it’s very difficult to get them. But eventually, we did and could have promote and produce this today.”

“I think it’s very interesting and informative. Because if you can see, most of pitch most of the things about Belize, like the Maya ruins, the animals, the rainforest. So it’s very education and interesting at the same time.”

If you are interested in having this art in your home or office, some of the pieces will be on sale until the end of the month at the Leo Bradley Library. Jacqueline Woods for News 5.