Culture to be Showcased

Culture to take center stage
Date	April 04, 2013
Section(s)	Our Town
Byline	By LINDSEY ADKISON The Brunswick News
David Loehle isn't afraid to try new things. It's what prompted him to enroll in a sweetgrass basket making class at Glynn Art on St. Simons Island. Since that time, creating the coiled works of art has become a passion for Loehle. "The class was taught by a woman who lives on Sapelo (Island) and makes them. It's not really hard, but it's very time consuming," the St. Simons Island resident said. "I usually compare it to something like knitting. The very small ones will take two to three hours. But the bigger ones, depending how fancy you get, can take anywhere to 20 to 30 hours." In learning how to make the baskets, Loehle was helping to preserve a tradition that dates back to the 1600s in America, and even longer in Africa. The basket-weaving or sewing technique was brought to the Colonies by West African slaves. The baskets were first used to winnow rice and store dry goods such as vegetables, corn, herbs, dried grain and fish. Today, these baskets can be artistic and elaborate rather than simply functional. It's the kind of basket Loehle sells through his business Barrier Island Baskets and has displayed at the gallery at Glynn Art. But on April 12, he will be showcasing his work at another venue - the One World, Many Faces: International Culture & Food Festival. The event, to be held at the College of Coastal Georgia, will showcase art, food and entertainment from a variety of cultures. Loehle is excited about participating in the event. "They called me up and invited me. I think it should be really interesting," he said. The baskets won't be the only art on display. There will also be jewelry, paintings and other crafts. Debbie Dowdy, owner of Muddy Goat Pottery, will share her pottery during the event. Of course, it's familiar territory for her. "I taught at the college and it's going to be great to be back on campus after being there for 30 years," she said. "I make these things called bottle heads and I'm also bringing lidded jars with the Om symbol and peace symbols on top, as well as some functional pottery." Like others who are attending, Dowdy likes the idea of cultural unity. "It sounded like a really fun event," she said. Tasty treats will be another feature, from Cuban to Greek to Chinese - something to suit every palette, organizers say. Vanassa Kinney, owner of Synergy Wellness, will bring something unique - vegetarian African food. Like last year, Kinney is hoping to share her knowledge with others. "Last year, I prepared African inspired dishes and the response was positive. Many came back for seconds and there was an interest in learning more about the variety of spices used in African cooking. This year, I will be serving vegetable and bean dishes common to Senegal and Kenya," she said. A familiar Southern staple - peanuts - are also on the menu, she says. "Rice and peanuts, just to name a few, are staples in many African countries. Coastal Georgia has a history of rice plantations and throughout Georgia peanut farms can be found. We will not forget Dr. George Washington Carver, who discovered hundreds of uses for the peanut, or former President Jimmy Carter, who was a peanut farmer." For Kinney, sharing similar connections between cultures has always been important. "Cultural exchanges are important because during these exchanges we find a common ground that unites all of humanity," she said. And sharing this common thread of humanity is the goal of the festival. Bruce Whitmore, president of Abbott Institute, which spearheaded the event, and a festival task force member, says the festival is both educational and celebratory. Student groups from the college will help stage salsa and other dance lessons. "Part of the institute's stated mission is to actively support the vision of racial and religious harmony, as well as social justice, by sponsoring events throughout the year," Whitmore said. "An annual festival is an ideal opportunity to foster relationships between peoples of varying multicultural backgrounds. "Although our first festival last year drew a surprisingly large crowd, we have worked to expand the international flavor for this year's event." The festival, which will be set up on the backside of the campus adjacent to the tennis courts, will offer a perfect setting to take in all the event has to offer. Visitors will check in to get information about the various activities as well as purchase tickets for the nearby food court. "A large dining area will be set up near the main stage so that people can eat and watch the entertainment at the same time. Nearby is the marketplace which will feature a wider selection of goods from many lands," Whitmore said. "On the other side of the pine trees is the recently-completed lake-side pavilion which will house exhibitors and also provide a second performance area." All in all, the day will be one to embrace differences while promoting understanding. "Our goal is to expand the festival each year to more fully reflect the cultural diversity of our area. As people gain a sense of belonging to a rich and vibrant multicultural community and appreciate how these cultures have shaped our collective character, our community will become more unified and an even better place to live," he said. * Lifestyle Editor Lindsey Adkison writes about lifestyle topics. Contact her at ladkison@thebrunswicknews.com, on Facebook or at 265-8320, ext. 316. Breakout: The One World, Many Faces: International Culture and Food Festival, will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. April 12. The event will include an ethnic food court, a marketplace of artisan wares, performances and an art exhibit.