December heralds the Christmas season and that means hustle and bustle around town. But for some islanders, the goal is to be still – as still as a statue – literally.
Thanks to Loekie Morales, Beyond Kultura Foundation and Caribbean Living Statues Festival (CLSF), dozens of participants will get the opportunity to try their hands at becoming statues. While people walk, talk, point and take photos, the living statues will hold their pose, relaxed while steady, unmoved by the excitement of the crowd.
There will be three themes represented at this year’s CLSF:
- Paintings by local artists brought to life.
- Fairy tales (fantasy, cartoons, legends)
- Sint Maarten after 10-10-10
Registration is currently ongoing, and the first informational meeting is set for Sunday, December 6, at 3:00-5:00pm at National Institute of Arts (NIA) – the former Motiance Dance Studio on Longwall Road in Philipsburg. Anyone can join the fun, as long as you are in good health and able to stand or sit for long periods of time. To register, fill in commitment forms at NIA, ask for Arlene Halley. Youth under 21 years of age should have a parent sign their form.
Student participants can earn up to 20 hours of community service toward their school requirements by participating in Living Statues Festival! By registering, one is committing to perform as a Living Statue during the Festival days – December 18-20 from 11:00am to 5:00pm. Don’t worry, you will get rest periods throughout the day, and assistants will keep you hydrated and safe.
Workshops will run every day from December 11 through 18 at NIA. Youths meet at 3:00-6:00pm during that week, while adults meet at 6:30-9:30pm. It’s important to attend the workshops to get all the information and learn the techniques that will allow participants to become Living Statues. Each participant should bring old clothing and accessories that they don’t mind donating to the performance. The items will be treated with stiffeners and painted, so they can’t be worn again as regular clothing.
Friday, December 18, the exhibition will be at 7:00-9:00 in the evening and centred on St. Rose Arcade on the boardwalk in Philipsburg. Performances on Saturday and Sunday will be during the afternoon hours. Each participant will be asked to perform for at least two days of the Festival, for a period of four hours each time. There will be certificates and prizes at the conclusion of the exhibition.
A minimal fee is required to cover the training, materials, lunch and drinks on performance days, as well as guidance and protection during the exhibition. This comes to $60 for the youth under 21 and $75 for adults. There will also be a Farewell Party when the Festival is over and memories to last a lifetime.
For more information on CLSF and the workshop registration, call Loekie Morales at 527-1223 or Arlene Halley 524-0441.
