From left to right: Keziah Paul, Joseph Bess, Angela Martinez and Leanne Morancie Photo Credit: CHALANA BROWN
ST. CROIX — For March, during Virgin Islands History Month, the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts will be showcasing an exhibit of photography and art that blends contemporary elements with traditional elements in a collection of photos and art that are made primarily out of madras or explores madras patterns.
"At the heart of this project, we seek to help an audience reconnect with madras," the Museum said. The exhibition was created and curated by educator and designer Joseph Bess, who will be debuting his line called Modern Madras and who sought to bring young local fashion designers an opportunity to show their love for the fabric collectively.
The exhibit is called "Madras Reimagined" and will open on Friday with a symposium for designers at the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts in Frederiksted. Senator Myron Jackson will be presenting and the symposium as he continues to lobby for his bill establishing an official madras design for the Virgin Islands.
Recently there have been a series of town hall meetings to help the general public understand the bill and the proposed plan. Debbie Sun, the graphic designer tasked with creating the pattern, will also be at the symposium to give her presentation on the symbolism behind the colors and design. Members of the St. Croix Cultural Heritage Dancers will be present to speak on their role in initiating and facilitating the process of establishing an official madras for the Virgin Islands as well.
The Madras Reimagined symposium features all local artists. It will culminate the experience of merging art with fashion and extend into a fashion show so that viewers may see the clothing in person.
The madras fashion show will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2020, at the museum. Participating designers are Joseph Bess of Modern Madras, Jamal Drummond of AhmandZ Fashion, Designs by Regal, Andre’ G. Ettienne of The House of Ettienne, Jabari Lake of SJL Collection, Designs by Ms. Emmanuel, and Niarus. This is the first collective fashion show by millennials in St. Croix to preserve and honor madras in their own way, and it comes on the heels of a cultural renaissance ignited by young creatives in the territory to embrace their cultural heritage better.
Proceeds go toward the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts and its efforts toward promoting the art and artists of the Caribbean and fostering the development of the arts among young people of the Caribbean.
