Find the perfect gift at the Jamaica Art and Gift Festival
35 exhibitors set for Sunday’s event
Published:Friday | November 25, 2022 | 12:07 AMAaliyah Cunningham/Gleaner Writer
When thinking about the perfect gift for your loved ones, the task can be tricky, but according to organiser of the first staging of Jamaica Art and Gift Festival (JAGFest), Gianna Fakhourie, there are just a few things to keep in mind when shopping. Luckily, come this Sunday, as Murray’s Farm in Clarendon is transformed into a haven for gift-givers, patrons are sure to find the best items from 35 local and international businesses that supply handmade, luxury and smart products at the best cost.
“You want to find something suitable for who you are offering the gift to, and not everyone has the same taste, so you should really give them what they will want and can use. Especially considering the economic climate that we’re in right now, a variety is required to ensure affordability. You should be able to gift someone something nice or treat yourself, no matter what your budget is,” Fakhourie shared.
“I know I tend to spend based on how close the person is to me. But that doesn’t mean that if you aren’t that close to me, I don’t want to get you something nice,” she continued.
For Fakhourie, Sunday’s event is about finding ways to treat your loved ones, family, friends, colleagues, and yourself.
“JAGFest is the place that you go to find really nice gifts for the people that you think the most of. It will be a day of fun, with DIY projects on-site, such as sip and stack, sip and paint, and various competitions. We will have a sketch artist there as well for those who want to have a portrait done. All gifts will have beautiful packaging, and gift wrap is available as well for those who want to add that extra something,” Fakhourie shared.
The event was conceptualised to provide a refreshing form of entertainment for the family heading into the Christmas season while showcasing all that the island has to offer in premium quality items based on creativity and functionality.
“It was conceptualised in September of this year when we (her team) were thinking about the kind of event we would like to be involved in and what kind of event we’d like to see. I’ve been participating in pop-ups and fairs since 2015, and they all have their own personalities and their pros and cons, but I’ve always thought that the spirit of gifting is not enough at the forefront in that people tend to have to figure everything out when they purchase something. Things may have insufficient or no packaging at all, and if it does, many times, it doesn’t do the product justice. The brands I’m involved in, The Original Arm Candy, The Gift Genie, and Lyric’s Lather, are big on [the] packaging, and we pay extreme attention to detail, and our clients appreciate that. I wanted a way to offer more to that customer profile, so the event was born,” she explained.
WIDE VARIETY
The gifts on show this Sunday fall into any of the following categories, made in Jamaica, handcrafted, fine imports, something sweet, piquing your palette and spirits. For Fakhourie, variety is essential to ensure patrons get the perfect item.
“We have BeSpoke by Monique, who does skincare, clay and macramé jewellery, and candles. SuCasa by Aviola, Aviola does jewellery, including the use of recycled materials, and her new SuCasa line is art and speciality items for the home. We have KK’s Crafts doing novelty gifts, including mugs and ornaments that can be personalised on the spot. We have Leanne’s Sweet Tooth and Sugar Gone Wong, who do some lovely baked goods that are packaged for gifting, sharing, or munching on the spot. There will be sampling as well. We have Paul Blackwood, who is one of the artists that we really like as he has really understood that art should fit into your lifestyle. He has many home and gift items that feature his iconic Jamaican prints and imagery,” Fakhourie shared of some of the expected exhibitors.
With hopes of eventually having the festival become a multi-day event, Faukhourie anticipates patrons will have a fun-filled day as they shop, create and view a myriad of items that reimagine gift-giving.
“I am looking forward to the public’s reception of the event, really. I think it’s a first and it’s novel, and I want to see how much they enjoy and appreciate it. I’m also totally impressed with the young people who are coming out to actually start their entrepreneurial and creative journeys, and anything I can do to help facilitate that makes me feel purposeful.”