(Dept. of Cultural Heritage, St. Kitts, June 24, 2026) — Mocko Jumbies, the Police character in the Bull Play and a Masquerade scene made entirely of textile were among the cultural performances frozen in time in unique art and in print at the Masquerade Traditions Art Exhibition running at the Shadwell Greathouse. The Exhibition was launched with an Opening Reception on June 22 and runs until Saturday June 27 from 10 am to 5 pm daily. Coordinator Dr. Sarah Owen informed attendees that after concluding discussions with HeritEdge Connections — a Barbados-based, Caribbean-focused non-profit organisation promoting access to tangible and intangible cultural heritage — the Exhibition was pulled together in short order, with special mention of assistant Mrs. Lori-Ann Peart-Phillip and volunteer Mr. Fidel O’Flaherty who addressed much of the logistics.
Director of Culture Pierre Liburd took the opportunity to note the importance of preserving the Federation’s Masquerade Traditions (Folklore). All displayed works will be safeguarded for posterity in the Department of Cultural Heritage’s Archives and will contribute towards the Federation’s representation on the Digital Library of the Caribbean at dloc.com. Mr. O’Flaherty encouraged attendees to sign a petition to the Government requesting that two former enslaved nationals — Marcus of the Woods and Betto Douglas — be granted the status of National Heroes of St. Kitts and Nevis, noting that unlike several other islands, St. Kitts and Nevis has yet to add a former enslaved individual to its academy of National Heroes. The public was also invited to bring their own artwork and articles pertaining to the Folklore of the Federation during the Exhibition’s opening hours to have them scanned and returned for Cultural Heritage’s Archives. Details on the petition can be obtained from Bougainvillea Books and Gifts at (869) 664-2224.