Iwokrama launches fund-raiser book

By Ruel Johnson
Guyana Chronicle
October 23, 2003

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A BOOK of Iwokrama-inspired artwork by internationally renowned print artist, Shirley Felts, was launched on Tuesday at Castellani House, the National Art Gallery.

In his opening remarks, Director General (Ag) of the Iwokrama International Centre, Dr. Graham Watkins, said he saw the book "as an indication of the need to involve culture in sustainable development."

Dr. Watkins said the center was implementing initiatives to achieve the goal of real sustainable development by next year. These included partnerships with both private commercial entities and communities within the area. Examples he offered were private management and upgrade of the Iwokrama canopy walkway and a community-controlled tour guide system, which proposes a community monopoly on guide services within the area.

In her appreciation of the book (which she also edited), Vanda Radzik, Iwokrama's Advisor on Community Development and Coordinator of Gender Studies at CIDA, said that despite the absence of any actual human beings in Felts' watercolour prints and line drawings in the book, it possessed a "great human quality."

She said the language used in the book was simple and evocative, making it as easily accessible to children as it would be to adults.

The author/artist behind the work "The Iwokrama Rain Forest", Shirley Felts, was herself very brief, taking the time scheduled for her remarks to make some personal presentations to Iwokrama staff.

American-born Mrs. Felts received her degree in Fine Arts from the University of Texas before marrying and moving to England where she now resides. Reproductions of her artwork, in postcards, posters, and framed prints, have been sold by the thousands and are widely available online. She has written and illustrated over 100 books ranging from garden books, to children's folktales.

President Jagdeo made a surprise entrance towards the end of the ceremony - just in time to receive his complimentary copy of "The Iwokrama Rain Forest". Later in the evening he and former President Janet Jagan (currently Chair of the Castellani House Board of Directors) were each given their choice of one the high quality laser-print reproductions of the artwork featured in the book.

Also presented with a complimentary reproduction were Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Ms. Elfrieda Bissember, Curator of the Gallery.

After the ceremony, the audience was invited to view an exhibition of reproductions on the ground floor of the gallery.

"The Iwokrama Rain Forest" is being sold, both locally and abroad, as part of the fundraising drive for Iwokrama. The book contains two valuable endorsements, a preface by President Jagdeo and a Foreword by Prince Charles of Great Britain.