Growth & Jobs | MIIC recognises creatives

RECENTLY, INSIDE the ROK Hotel in downtown Kingston, three creative businesses received $150,000 each and a trophy after they emerged winners of their respective categories in the National Craft Product Quality Showcase art and craft competition spearheaded by the Ministry of Industry, Investment, and Commerce (MIIC).

The event was billed ‘Craft and Coffee’, “an initiative to facilitate information exchange, networking, and increased visibility of the Jamaican craft industry”. The showcase and awards were a production of the National Craft Policy of Jamaica

Kabreco Designs received two awards and a total of $300,000 for ‘Best Souvenir Product’ (memento representing Jamaica far away from its borders); and ‘Best Corporate Gift’ (appropriate and innovated gift options that can sustainably fuel corporate demand).

The other winners were 44 Miles for ‘Best Jewellery Product’ (stylish with a must-have appeal for the discerning and the trendy); Robert Maxwell Campbell for ‘Best Interior Product’ (carrying a distinctive, functional, and culturally evident Jamaican vibe); and Kalia & Co for ‘Best Textile Product’ (Jamaican handmade textile craft).

There was an exhibition of the shortlisted pieces, as well as a panel discussion, networking, while Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Senator Aubyn Hill, who toured the exhibits, spoke to the gathering in a special keynote address.

“As artisans and business owners, you make products that meet international standards, stand out in global markets, and demand premium prices. This is where institutions like Jamaica Business Development Corporation and the Bureau of Standards Jamaica, both agencies of MIIC, come in. They provide essential business advisory services, incubator services, ensuring world-class packaging and labelling and giving you the tools to compete,” Senator Hill said.

“We have launched the Artisan Empowerment Hub, a pilot export gateway providing craft producers like you with design innovation and product development. We are also developing an online directory of export-ready artisans, making it easier for buyers across the world to access Jamaica’s best craft products. This is what separates good businesses from great businesses: quality, strong standards, higher productivity. Global thinking.”

Robert Maxwell Campbell, one of the aforementioned winners, in speaking with The Gleaner, exclusively, said, “I am a full-time, self-taught artist without the limitations of what materials to work with as I work with clay, wood and paints and sometimes a combination of materials.

“My acceptance in the competition gave me a great feeling, and I was sure the piece I submitted for the Best Interior Design had a compelling story … I knew the piece was a winner, but was open to whatever the outcome was either way, it’s a winner inside and outside of competition, so my participation was more joyful as I consider all of us in this category of artisans are winners.”

The competition aimed to inspire creativity, “empowering artisans to turn imagination into unique handcrafted creations”; celebrate craftmanship, “showcasing the beauty of tradition and innovation in every piece”; and to brew connections, “where coffee culture meets the artistry craftsmanship”.

“As a business owner, you must think bigger, think global – not just selling at local craft expos, but placing products in hotels, airport duty free stores, cruise ports, and even on airlines. Your brand should be seen in in-flight magazines, airport billboards, and online platforms worldwide. This is how major brands dominate and there is no reason Jamaican craft cannot do the same.

“We know that with the right investment in product development, marketing, and innovation, the craft sector has the potential to drive employment, increase export and profits, and contribute significantly to Jamaica’s economic growth,” Senator Hill also said.