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From:TheBahamasWeekly.com New Providence
Items from Cultureware — Smith's line of Junkanoo-inspired, hand-painted ceramic plates, mug sets and vases — will be featured in the best of lights at the 2009 Miss Universe pageant during the state gift auction dinner to raise funds for HIV/AIDS. A charming teacup embellished with a cowbell handle and coupled with a seagrape leaf saucer, caught the eye of Ministry of Tourism officials, who selected Cultureware from Smith's Da Culture Place, as the state gift for Miss Universe Bahamas, Kiara Sherman. Queens from around the world set to vie for the most coveted crown this month at the Atlantis Resort during the historic event, will present their cultural gifts as state gifts for the auction on Thursday, August 13. Smith's Cultureware teacup and saucer is accompanied by bush teas from bush tea expert, Beth Stewart's, "Beth's Kitchen." "We selected Da Culture Place because we wanted to put forth something that spoke to an authentically Bahamian product," said Janet Johnson, the Ministry of Tourism's in country director of communications. "The item is made here in The Bahamas." For her part, Smith was thrilled to receive the call telling her that her product had been chosen to represent the country at the highly anticipated event. "I was stunned . . . shocked really," said Smith who started the line in 2006 after thinking for years of a way to preserve Junkanoo. "I feel good about it because the whole idea of having it is to promote my country and to promote our spirit and the spirit of Junkanoo." Smith will also display her wares in Rawson Square during another pageant event. In addition to stoneware, Da Culture Place also features table cloths and beach towels. Currently in transition from its former location on Charlotte Street and Woodes Rogers Wharf, the company's products are sold at a host of locations around the island. Best Buy furniture store on Village Road was the first establishment to carry Cultureware in 2007. Since then Solomon's and three City Market locations (Lyford Cay, Harbour Bay and Prince Charles) have stocked the product. The Bay Street restaurant Conch Fritters also serves some of its fare on Cultureware. An accountant by profession, Smith took a longtime love for Junkanoo and turned it into a business in 2006. She began drawing designs for the pieces she wanted to create and did research on how to produce them. Smith designs most of the pieces herself, although she has received some designs from Junkanoo artists, including Glenroy Taylor. Her uncle Phillip Clare, a jeweler and owner of Island Man Jewelers, helps her to polish off some of her designs. Her mother, Mary Knowles, operated the shop with her during its days on the wharf. The artist and businesswoman also credited well-known ceramicist Jessica Colebrooke of Jessica's Tileworks with supporting her endeavors. Smith orders the molds of her designs from abroad and completes the pieces here. She will be working with Abilities Unlimited to continue her production. With plans only to expand her proud Bahamian product, Smith has made the line available to hotels and restaurants that want their names printed on their own orders of Cultureware. She is in talks with other companies to further expand the reach of the line. Smith, who has three daughters, has created a line of party hats and bags. She also plans to design flatware in the future. "They're just behind the stable waiting to be released," she said.
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