Crafting a living through art

Dave Lindo, Gleaner Writer

PROSPECT, Manchester:

SEVENTY-YEAR-OLD Ludian Hill has been keeping the craft business alive in central Jamaica, along with his elderly associates. He does this through his craft shop, Hill's Craft Centre, which is located in the quiet district of Prospect, Manchester.

Hill's Craft Centre offers a wide variety of craft items - mainly made from straw - including hats, place mats, brooms, baskets, floor mats and bags. In addition, Hill sells furniture made from wicker.

"We sell up to 40 different items. Most are made from straw material that we get from thatch and sisal," He told The Gleaner.

Hill was introduced to the business by his father, Richard, who he said was one of the first persons to carry straw craft to Montego Bay, St James.

Early start

"I went to live with my father in Montego Bay when I was 14 years old. I started going school there and, in my spare time, I would help him sell and make the items," the craftsman explained.

"My brother used to sell craft across the street from here but he got sickly. So seven years ago, I decided to open this shop and carry on the family tradition."

Hill makes some of the items himself and also has a network of people who make craft items for him.

"I have mostly elderly people making them for me. They are the ones who contribute and have been doing this for years," he said.

"Young people are not into craft. The turnover is too slow, so they don't have the patience for it."

The people that make the craft items for Hill are from the neighbouring parish of St Elizabeth in the communities of Burnt Savannah, Bull Savannah, Round Hill and Junction.

"What I do is get the materials, both thatch and sisal, and take to the people to make the items," Hill said.

Straw hats a hit

The fastest-selling items are the broad straw hats, which are worn by the farmers in the communities on the south coast.

"The broad hats are like umbrellas, they keep off the sun so the farmers use them a lot," he explained.

"I don't take out my items (to other locations). I believe in keeping my things here," Hill said. "Once they (customers) come one time, they keep on coming again. They leave here being satisfied. If I don't have what they want, they will give me an idea or draw it, and then I get it made for them."

Hill said the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment should be doing more for persons in his craft in an effort to develop tourism on the south coast.

"I tried organising a tourist tour once, but it didn't work out. It was just pure talk by people in authority and nothing was done," he said. "This is the only craft shop in this region, so I think they (authority) could do much more. Even one tour per week would help."

rural@gleanerjm.com