Invisible Heritage: Identity, Memory and Our Town

Our project, Invisible Heritage Identity Memory and Our Town continues to be a catalyst for change and growth for the town of Frederiksted and for the community. By convening the community in creative ways, we are building appreciation and support the preservation of our built and natural environment, providing workforce development training and artisanal training, and providing emergent and established artist with opportunities to exhibit their art.

CHANT Building Arts Institute had a successful partnership with The Nature Conservancy, National Trust for Historic Preservation- HOPE Program (Hands on Preservation Experience) with assistance from National Park Service in April 2022.  Five CHANT apprentices received on-site training in traditional masonry from David Gibney, a historic restoration specialist and fine artisan who shared his expertise in historic preservation and restoration. The apprentices, Allem Harry, Alfredo Carmona, Jr., Gilberto Harry, Jamahal Sanes, and Matteo Harry under the tutelage of David, brought a crumbling structure back to life in ten days. The broken concrete lintel on the doorway was removed and replaced with steel angle iron lintel and a temporary  door frame installed. Then fallen and deteriorated stones were replaced and the entire area was repointed. They replaced broken, missing brick in the structural arch, repaired broken stone steps, giving the structure another 100 years of life.   In two weeks, the group completed repairs to an 18^th century historic structure and developed expertise in a highly sought after field. According to David Gibney, “These young men are better than many professionals I’ve worked with!”

CHANT Building Arts Institute is pleased to be partnering with The Slave Wrecks Project and the National Park Service to design and build a display case for an exhibit to be installed at the Christiansted National Park. Apprentices will work with a woodworking instructor to execute the design and build of the display case.

We are committed to meeting our goal of providing artisanal training and through workforce development opportunities for residents of Frederiksted and St. Croix.

Links:

• National media report on our project

CHANT's project, Invisible Heritage Identity Memory and Our Town continues to be a catalyst for change and growth for the town of Frederiksted and the community. By convening the community in creative ways, we are building appreciation and support for the preservation of our built and natural environment; providing workforce development training and artisanal training and; providing emergent and established artists with opportunities to exhibit their art.

The CHANT Building Arts Institute relaunched in-person training and community workshops in February 2022. Artist in residence, Afreekan Southwell led two tracks of training beginning February 1 - March 10, 2022. The Workforce Development Training for young adults between the ages of 18-30 provided instruction and training in the use of wood as a building material and artistic medium. The Woodworking Workshop was open to the public and introduced woodworking, wood turning and three-dimensional wood sculpture. Four young adults participated in the workforce development program and fifteen community members joined the woodworking workshops over the six-week period.

In conjuntion with the Woodworking Workshops, CHANT hosted an art exhibit, “The Functionalities of Art” February 11^th – March 10^th. The exhibit featured Afreekan Southwell, Victoria Rivera, Jomahal Sanes and “Gyptian”. The opening drew over 100 guests to view the fine art and wood art created for the exhibit. Throughout the month, residents, visitors and student groups visited and experienced the exhibit.

Invisible Heritage Partnerships

In partnership with the Nature Conservancy the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s HOPE Crew embarked on a two-week masonry training at the Estate Little Princess St. Croix, USVI beginning April 19th. In partnership with the CHANT’s (Crucian Heritage and Nature Tourism) Invisible Heritage pre-apprenticeship program, HOPE Crew focused on training five local youth in masonry techniques specifically repointing and repair methods under the guidance of trades expert David Gibney.  The trainees excelled under the guidance and tutelage of David Gibney.

Links:

• HOPE Crew stone masonry training
• Woodworking workshop week 1