…as Mashramani design workshop underway

The festival of arts costume design workshop kick-started on Monday at the National Racquet Ball Centre, Georgetown and will conclude on December 6.

The initiative was conceptualised with the aim to improve the design and display of costumes and decorated floats for Mashramani in 2020 and the coming years after it was found that there were persistent challenges facing the celebration. This includes funding, innovations in costume and floats design, presentation of creativity and judging.
This joint effort between the Social Cohesion Ministry and the Guyana Cultural Organization of New York (GCONY) is also aiming to make Guyana the world centre for innovation in the festival.
According to President of the GCONY and workshop coordinator, Dr Vibert Cambridge, the project was the result of a conversation between overseas-based Guyanese designers and provided grounds on identify issues in the celebration that need to be addressed.
He added that this exercise seeks to make the design of floats and costumes more innovative, especially with the implementation of STEM elements, which participants will be given an insight on by STEM-Guyana.
Meanwhile, Social Cohesion Minister with responsibility for culture youth and sport, George Norton highlighted that the sessions are in preparation for Guyana’s 50th Republic Day celebration.
Facilitators of the event include Antonio Butts, a Trinidad-based Guyanese designer along with Clair Goring and Alan Vaughan.