Fire museum to show South Carolina, Barbados exhibit

A North Charleston art exhibit promises to educate residents about the historical connections between South Carolina and the West Indies island of Barbados.

The traveling art exhibit, "The Connection," created by the S.C. National Heritage Corridor, will be housed at the North Charleston and American LaFrance Fire Museum and Educational Center on Aug. 1-Sept. 15. Admission is free.

The artwork will be displayed in the lobby of the fire museum. Attendees must pay if they want to see the rest of the museum.

The show will consist of more than 70 pieces from South Carolina and Barbadian artists.

The pieces range in media, from oil paintings to photography, basketry and etchings. Many of the works depict the similarities between Barbados and South Carolina in the fields of agriculture, horticulture, arts, African-American and maritime heritage.

"This is a very rich part of our history and one that is not well-known," said North Charleston Cultural Arts Department Director Marty Besancon. "It's a wonderful opportunity to showcase the arts and history."

Included with the artwork will be an exhibit highlighting the historical and cultural connections between Barbados and South Carolina. A lecture series and receptions also are planned.

"The Connection" has been on the road throughout the state since December. In October, the exhibit will travel to Barbados for a four-day symposium and a final showing. That four-day event will include a tour of the island, afternoon excursions, expert cultural speakers and an art celebration.

"The Connection" was created out of a partnership between the Barbadian Tourism Ministry and the S.C. National Heritage Corridor. The corridor extends 240 miles across the state from the mountains of Oconee County to Charleston.

Rhoda Green of Charleston, a native of Barbados, has worked closely with the National Heritage Corridor to secure the exhibit for the Charleston area.

Green, who is honorary consul from Barbados to South Carolina, has lived in the Lowcountry for nearly 30 years.

When she arrived in Charleston, it did not take her long to realize the similarities between Caribbean and Lowcountry culture. Lowcountry dialect, food, music, basketry, colors of houses and stories were all very familiar to her.

Green has spent more than a decade researching and tracing historical and cultural connections back to the 1600s. The system of slavery that was eventually adopted in the Carolinas was formed and perfected in the Caribbean, Green said. For many years, African slaves were transported from Barbados to the Lowcountry to work the fields.

Green said the forthcoming art exhibit is important not only for South Carolina residents but for Barbadians who also are learning more about the connection.

"Barbados has endorsed the idea, and I think we've made great strides to bring awareness to the people of both places," Green said. "This is really putting (the history) together and bringing it to the now and making this history relevant to the people."

For more information, contact the city of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at 745-1087, e-mail www.culturalarts@northcharleston.org or visit www.northcharleston.org.

Reach Jasiri Whipper at 745-5863 or jwhipper@postandcourier.com.