Urgent help needed for our artists

Nov 20, 2020 Letters

Dear Editor,

Our small artist community is vanishing – four of our senior artists, versatile in painting and sculpture, are in urgent need of medical treatment not available at Georgetown Public Hospital. These artists have given their golden years to our country, represented Guyana at Carifesta, the IDB and in South America – Suriname, Brazil and Venezuela. They are not looking for charity – sales of their works would cover their medical bills.
The National Gallery – Castellani House – no longer purchases art for the National Collection… the sizable $330B Emergency Budget, has any money been allocated for the purchase of art?
This is an open appeal to the banking establishments. The big business houses and individual collectors who would wish to help these artists need to come on board.
I have written numerous letters to the Ministry of Culture under the PPP/C and APNU+AFC Governments requesting that a grant be given to senior artists to assist in the production of their artistic gems for public display.
Unfortunately, that has fallen on deft ears.
This year we have lost four outstanding senior Guyanese artists – Grace Gale, Francis Ferreira, George Simon, and Osaze.
These artists have given over four decades of distinguished service to our country and the Diaspora. They lived purposefully and their contribution forms part of the treasury of Guyanese art.
Thanking you in anticipation for your support. I have enclosed my phone number – 223-4636.
Desmond Alli
(General Secretary Guyana United Artists G.U.A.)

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