Art and craft designer Coretta Kingston keeps an old trade alive

Apr 15, 2019 News

A movement in the late 19th century known as “art and craft” was the platform for a trade that has been practiced for generations.
Art and craft describes a wide variety of activities involving making things with all sorts of materials.
Sadly, it is rare now to find a person taking up art and craft as a profession. However, a very humble 49-year-old woman is turning this hobby into a trade.

Coretta Kingston

Coretta Vanessa Kingston, from Lot 27 Section ‘B’ Non Pariel, East Coast Demerara plies her daily trade from her home, and has been putting out some amazing home decor.
“I first started off doing my art work as simple home décor, and for ordinary house parties and church functions.” Kingston stated.
“My skill was self taught. Art and craft are innate in nature and therefore I have always found myself being creative with anything that is handed to me, so I started to watch YouTube videos to learn to create outstanding pieces.”
With her skills the mother of two girls produces bottled art, floor vases, center pieces and decorative hats. Glass bottles, so difficult to dispose of now, have been turned into works of art.
Tall, short, stout and slender glass bottles, all destined for the scrap heap, have been given a new touch of life by Kingston. The bottled art is always one to catch the eye as it is made into ornaments, picture frames and vases.
“The items that I create are made of recycled materials. For the bottled art I recycled glass bottles, for the vase I used PVC pipe and the decorative hats are made from plastic bottles.” Kingston highlighted.
Soon enough, with a boost from family members and friends, Kingston started a business putting out her work.
“Family and friends encouraged me to acquire financial gain from my art work instead of doing it out of leisure activity and as a result, ‘Coretta’s Creative Art Attack’ was created.

A glass bottled picture frame

A glass bottled ornament

She also indicated that the business is relatively new as it was established only last month. Moreover, despite the fact that ‘Coretta’s Creative Art Attack’ has just hit the block, persons have been very encouraging and uplifting about the work that Kingston does.
“This platform now allows me to harness the uplifting words that come from my supporters in a manner that will make me want to keep striving to do even greater work and to challenge myself.” She said.
In saying that, Kingston further highlighted that she is confident about her work and hopes that it has an impact on others in such a way that they will follow in her path to be creative with recycled items and also keeping the skill of art and craft alive.
(Trishan Craig)