“The Virgin Islands Council on the Arts: Advocating for the Arts for over 40 years”

On January 19, 1966 the Virgin Islands Legislature adopted Bill No. 2699 establishing a Council on the Arts, under the Department of Education. At that time the legislature recognized that Virgin Islanders lacked “the opportunity to view, enjoy or participate in living theatrical performances, musical concerts, operas, dance and ballet recitals, art exhibits, examples’ of architecture and the performing and fine arts generally”. They further recognized that practicing and enjoying the arts is essential to enriching the lives of the people of the Virgin Islands. By establishing the arts council, the Virgin Islands took its first steps, in making the arts accessible and a significant part of the Virgin Islands culture.
Stephen J. Bostic, a St. Croix musician was the first director of VICA. As a well traveled musician, Mr. Bostic, understood the value that a council for the arts can have on a community. He paved the way for Mr. John Jowers, who in 1985 became the organizations 2nd director after serving as associate director since 1969. After a sixteen year tenure, Mr. Jowers retired in 2001. “It was an opportunity to work in an agency that I knew would have a tremendous, positive impact on the Virgin Islands.” states Mr. Jowers. Under Jower’s leadership VICA provided numerous opportunities for Virgin Islands artists and arts organizations to exhibit and perform in the Virgin Islands and abroad. His enthusiasm and accomplishments are duly noted in ARTfusions’ 3rd edition.
Forty two years later, the “Virgin Islands Council for the Arts” continues to enable the development of artistic and cultural opportunities for our community. Today, VICA is a division of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources. Its current director Ms. Betty Mahoney and her small staff work with a very minimal budget. They strive daily to meet the organizations mission: "To enrich the cultural life of the Virgin Islands through leadership that preserves, supports, strengthens, and makes accessible, excellence in the arts to all Virgin Islanders".
Additionally Ms. Mahoney collaborates closely with board members appointed by the Governor who broadly represent all fields of the performing and fine arts in the Virgin Islands. At this time, the board members include: Jose Raul Carrillo, Chairman; Claire Roker, Vice-Chair; Karen Thurland, Treasurer; Lucinda Schutt, Secretary; Vernon A. Finch, Glenn "Kwabena" Davis and Pastor Reuben A. Vessup.
Currently, one of VICA’s most significant programs for individual artists or non-profit organizations is its annual Grant Program. Funding categories vary from general operating support to individual support for artist projects. Grant awards start at $500 up to a maximum of, $10,000 per fiscal year. The grants provide the financial support that artists and art related organizations need to produce, promote and access the arts in the Virgin Islands and abroad. Funding is provided in part by the Virgin Islands Government and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Most recently, VICA has provided free exhibition space in their gallery room at 5070 Norre Gade, across from Fort Christian. Several innovative artists have exhibited at VICA’s gallery space, most notable are: Native Virgin Islands, folk artist Mabel J. Maduro, painters Ieshia George, Augustine Holder, Robert Chang, Madeleine Meehan and multi-media artist Henry Gonzalez.
Other significant programs co-sponsored by VICA along with other V.I. governmental agencies include: The Annual Congressional Art Competition, Poetry Our Loud, The Big Read and The Virgin Islands Aquatic Heritage Program.
VICA is a member of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies and the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation.
For further information go to their web sight at http://www.vicouncilonarts.org/ or visit VICA on St. Thomas at, 5070 Norre Gade, Charlotte Amalie, Tel. 340-774-5984 or on St. Croix at, 1131 King Street, Ste. 310, Christiansted, Tel. 340-773-3075.

The Art of Preserving Crucian History: A Chat with Gerville Larsen

Touring around St. Croix, one sees glimpses of abandoned structures in states of elegant decay. Strewn with vines, shutters tilting off hinges and colorful layers of peeling paint – many Caribbean artists are attracted to these atmospheric crumbling scenes as subject matter. But many of these ruins have potential for broader uses and renewed life.
Gerville Rene Larsen, A.I.A., is an accomplished local artist and architect from St. Croix, with a five-generation family history in the Virgin Islands. Gerville started his own architectural firm on St. Croix in 1999. He is active in preserving the VI’s historic places as a member of the St. Croix Historic Preservation Committee, and as the Virgin Islands Advisor to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Gerville is also a fine artist and gallery owner whose work has been exhibited throughout the U.S. and abroad. We asked him about his work renovating some of St. Croix’s historic edifices and his new artworks reflecting the subject.
CG: Where does your enthusiasm for historic preservation come from?
GL: The built environment around us has always fascinated and drawn me, especially growing up on St. Croix. Our two “planned” towns (Christiansted and Frederiksted) have an intimate scale and refined presence that is unique to the Virgin Islands and appropriate to our climate. The influence of Danish architecture and craftsmanship of our African predecessors are fused together to make the architecture on St. Croix distinctly and uniquely “Crucian”.
CG: Tell us about some of the historic preservation projects you've been working on, on St Croix.
GL: The Creagh Building, better known as the Old Chase Bank Building in Christiansted’s Sunday Market Square, is a great example of an historic renovation. Built around 1808, the townhouse presents an important anchoring facade in the square. It has been reallocated as a future business incubator and should provide economic stimulus to the area. This renovation exemplifies how preserved historic buildings can retain their worth and add value to our communities.
The Sion Farm Greathouse, tucked away behind Sunny Isles, is another full historic renovation we completed. This Greathouse dates back to 1756 and is now the official residence of the VI Lieutenant Governor.
Currently, I've started a restoration of 14 Strand Street, Frederiksted, an historic townhouse known locally as the Seven Flags Building.
CG: How does the island benefit from historic preservation? What's the goal/mission of the St. Croix Historic Preservation Committee?
GL: The built environment of our territory defines its history and is a cultural resource, according to both local and federal standards. Cultural tourism is a proven vehicle for economic growth throughout the world. By preserving authentic interior and exterior historic architecture, we ensure that our tourism and cultural product remains a valuable asset. The Preservation Committee’s goal is to ensure that our unique historic architecture is protected for us and for future generations. The Committee covers both the St. Croix and St. Thomas/St. John districts. It’s a regulatory body with legal territorial and federal enforcement powers.
CG: What prevents some of these projects from getting completed? What could be done to improve the situation?
GL: The biggest deterrent to historic preservation projects is financial. No one ever questions the high price tag attributed to an authentic Crucian mahogany four poster bed, but the same may not be true for the historic building that housed it! I recall reading how an authentic American mahogany secretary was auctioned for approximately $7 million, the sum of which was then used to restore a historic residence. We need more education and awareness, combined with cultural pride, to understand that these buildings and interior spaces crafted by our ancestors are uniquely valuable and tell our rich history.
CG: Gerville, your fine art work is visceral and organic. How does your personal art making reconcile with the energy you put into your architectural designs?
GL: They are somewhat opposing forces because they are very different disciplines. I’ve been an artist far longer than I’ve been an architect. I do attempt to merge them -- some of my paintings are three dimensional in texture and form. My present study explores the plight of dilapidated vernacular wooden structures in danger of eradication. I’m treating these edifices as “people”, victims of crime that have been violated and abandoned and are in desperate need of love and attention. I hope this collection will not only invoke the physical presence of the structures but will also describe their makers and builders.
Gerville can be reached at the offices of Taller Larjas, LLC at (340) 779-3039 or online at http://www.tallerlarjas.com/.

ARTfusion Magazine

is a full color, glossy magazine dedicated to the arts and culture of the U.S. Virgin Islands. It seeks to provide our readers access to an extensive range of activities within the arts. It's aim is to offer a view of the arts that transcends any one discipline, and in effect provide a means of accessing the arts and culture in the Virgin Islands and the greater Caribbean region.