Main areas of work related to the Convention:
In 2023, the Pinelands Creative Workshop with the support of Creative Caribbean, implemented the Cultural Heritage Identification and Preservation (CHIP) Project which saw the organisation working with performing arts groups that focus on traditional Afro Caribbean Folk forms within the Performance Arts sub-sector in Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada to begin to (a) enhance their knowledge of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) practices; (b) build their capacity to investigate, extract and document these ICH forms and (c) to document key elements to support knowledge transfer and as a tool to support greater social and economic improvements among users, and to (d) build greater understanding of cultural norms, values and practices among peoples within the selected countries for improved relations and cooperation at the grassroots level. The main purpose of this intervention is to utilize ICH as a tool for community enhancement, improved cultural products and related economic activity and overall improved relations among key stakeholders and grassroots communities across the region.
Parallel to the project activities, the Pinelands Creative Workshop has continued to invest in cultural preservation and secured support to expand the awareness and provide the opportunity for dialogue in this area. In November of 2024, the Organisation organised a Regional Consultation of the Caribbean Cultural Fusion in Grenada titled ''Deconstruction towards Reconstruction”. This consultation allowed for an indepth examination of the current threats to intangible cultural heritage in the region ; exploration of why, if at all is it important to preserve; How can ICH and performance arts in particular be contemporized to appeal to present generation and the discussion on technology as either a Threat or asset. Under the theme''The Big Picture'' those who participated were provided with an understanding of the current social and cultural environment; the policy dynamics from a regional perspective; current opportunities and threats; Intersection with varied development focuses; what is required to reframe the picture – reprioritize culture, strengthen the sector by way of establishing collaborative participation; Preserving our ICH.
The direct stakeholder engagement and relationships developed over time with key stakeholders in the region, the communities, private and public sector along with the experience of the organisation and its lead members, allows the Pinelands Creative Workshop to provide a realistic picture from varied angles. Because of this, the organisation is able and capable of providing quality advise that truly reflects what is realistic and workable within each sector due to the intimate understanding on the ground and of the region. This would afford the adoption of new and innovative, and more easily accepted approaches that allow for the amplification, awareness and wider appreciation and attention to ICH.
Objectives
The Pinelands/ Wildey community has an interesting history. Unlike the traditional community, which evolves over generations, or as the result of some specific stimulus, Pinelands/Wildey was created out of a need for housing and was therefore initially developed as a low-income housing unit. The concept of Pinelands was first born in 1945 and later implemented in the 1950’s after hundreds of people from different backgrounds from all over Barbados came to live in
it as a result of the 1949 floods. Pinelands therefore became the first homogeneous low-income housing unit in Barbados. The unfamiliarity, poor housing structures coupled by the absence recreational facilities, lent to the creation of negative activities and image of the community.
The Pinelands Creative Workshop, registered Charity #212, was formed in February 1978. It represents the cultural aspects of the Pinelands community of Barbados. The mandate of the organization in the early stages was to utilize the common interest of culture to build the morale, educate, entertain and empower youth and families throughout the community. This early approach tied to the commitment to the retention of afro Caribbean folk form provided a critical tool for cohesion, stabilisation and purpose as well as aid in the retention and revitalisation of varied afro Caribbean artforms. This approach proved to be a successful one, as it served to empower and strengthen the community spirit within the Pinelands Community. The use of culture also provided the add value of changing the PPP stigma of P-Pine, P-Perry and P- Prison.
Cooperation
The Pinelands Creative remains passionate about expanding its repertoire and specializing in Afro Caribbean Folk forms. This led to the birth of the “Fusion” on October 14, 1988, a remarkable collaboration between the Pinelands Creative Workshop and the Malick Folk Performers of Trinidad.
The Fusion represents the coming together of cultural grassroots organizations in the region, sharing resources to impact the development of culture in each nation state. By addressing cultural differences and similarities, collectively the Fusion has facilitated the enhancement of regional togetherness and understanding and wider awareness of the social and economic value of ICH.
Throughout the years, the Fusion has attracted organizations from Tobago, St. Vincent, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Dominica, Antigua, St. Lucia, Grenada, and Guyana.
Parallel to the work with the Fusion, collaborative work with other local groups is on-going taking the same approach as the Fusion by way of sharing resources. The Pinelands Creative Workshop has also taken the lead in many cultural and development discourses that benefits the sector. In addition, the Pinelands Creative Workshop continue to research and document to allow for knowledge sharing and improved access to cultural resources to local groups, schools, examining bodies, tutors, practitioners and other interested individuals.
