The Caribbean Artisan Network, The BVI Tourist Board, The Mooring, LIAT, and the British Virgin Islands Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA) will be hosting what has become the biggest Artisan Festival in the region: The 2009 Caribbean Arts and Crafts Festival. For the sixth year in a row, this increasingly popular cultural event brings together over 60 Artisans from throughout the Caribbean to display, sell and demonstrate their crafts at a variety of locations in the beautiful British Virgin Islands. From March 6th-9th, the Festival is held on the beach in Trellis Bay Village. On March 10, the festival relocates to Virgin Gorda for the day and back to Trellis Bay for the Full Moon Party in the evening. March 11th wraps up in the capital city, Road Town, at the Noel Lloyd Memorial Park.

Scene at 2008 Festival.

Aside from the wide variety of Artisans selling their crafts along the beach and the top class musical entertainment through out the event, this year the Caribbean Artisan network has added several new attractions to the event. On the Saturday evening the first annual Festival Fashion Show will take place which intended for those Artisans who design and manufacture clothing, accessories and hand crafted jewelry to exhibit their products in a live environment.

A booth for local schools to exhibit and sell students work will also be added. The booth fee will be waived and schools or interested students should contact 1-284-495-1849 for more information.

In addition, the festival committee has created a series of awards to be presented in a ceremony on Sunday afternoon. The awards include Most Creative Display, Best Preservation of Traditional Craft, Most Innovative New Craft Item and The Best Youth Artisan (under 18).

Visiting Artisans are being offered complimentary accommodation aboard catamarans anchored just off the beach in Trellis Bay, which have been generously provided by the Moorings.

The Caribbean Artisan Network is a six year old BVI registered Non Profit Organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Caribbean Arts and Crafts (more info on www.caribbeanartisan.net). By creating links between artisans, the Network functions to strengthen the production of traditional and innovative Caribbean Crafts through educational workshops, marketing initiatives and skill preservation efforts.

The Artisan Network is dedicated to increasing the commercial viability of Craft as an income generator and as a crucial aspect of maintaining Caribbean cultural identity. For more information, or to participate as an exhibitor or sponsor, please contact the network via www.caribbeanartisan.net  or email the network at caribbeanartisan@gmail.com