Monday, February 15, 2010

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Junkanoo craft museum's lively launch By Inderia Saunders ~ Guardian Business Reporter ~ inderia@nasguard.com: A local junkanooer yesterday launched one of the country's first craft museums centered around attracting visitors and locals alike — kicking off its first tour by hosting scores of primary school students. It's an initiative that Quenton 'Barabbas' Woodside, founder of the Barabbas Craft Museum (BCM), believes was born out of a desire to give back to the community and foster cultural talent. The launch comes as an increasing number of Bahamians seek training in areas unrelated to the hotel sector. the BCM has a learning center where tourists and Bahamians can learn more about the work that goes into the junkanoo parade. They'll be able to tour the museum and possibly purchase from an on-site gift shop that will have work done by both professional junkanooers and community kids. Barabbas is hoping to take the proceeds from tours by tourists and schools, and help fund a computer lab and classes for the inner-city students whose parents are unable to afford the craft classes that will be made available at the center. His efforts come at a time when most non-profit organizations have noted declines in charitable donations over the last year. The drop has prompted some NPOs to become self-sufficient, with revenue generating arms to fund their charitable endeavors. Wednesday January 3, 2010