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EAST YARD Community Arts Centre is the premier creative community arts space in East Trinidad. Created in 2017 by local arts promotion and education non-profit organization, Caribbean Fashion and Arts Feature Festival, EAST YARD is a cultural hub designed to connect and engage the local community on a regular and ongoing basis by championing creativity in all its forms.

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EPISODE 2 IS OUT!!!

On September 27th, Nicki Consulting and EAST YARD launched their second installation of EAST TALKS: Open Mic Night. The theme was Gender Issues and the panel passionately brought their views and perspectives to the forum.

Tune in here!

Jan ‘JanBerry’ Mc Kell

Jan is a Trinidad-born non-binary author and creative. Writing since the age of 13, Jan also composes songs and runs a company, GreenInk Caribbean Ltd, that is focused on Graphic Design and Web Development, as an extension of Brand Strategy. Dedicated to helping people break the mold of gender norms in the Caribbean and beyond, JanBerry continues to evolve into the essence of masculine and feminine energy, telling stories through them both.

JanBerry.blog
@janberrywrites (IG)

Salorne Mc Donald

Salorne Mc Donald is the founder and CEO of Jabulous, an NGO which provides design, implementation, and empowerment functions to vulnerable populations globally. A country boy from Manzanilla the town in the east of Trinidad where his family seat lies, Salorne carved a name for himself through debates, public speaking and ardent work within the youth movement. Advocacy in the arena of sexual and reproductive health and rights sparked a special passion which was the impetus for presentations at two International AIDS Conferences, The World Assembly of Youth in Namibia, The International conference on HIV and STIs in Amsterdam and The International Student Leadership Conference in Virginia USA. A specialist in creative intervention strategies and facilitation, Mc Donald has worked as a consultant with various arms of the UN, CIDA, DFID, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, several Caribbean Governments and the global social marketing powerhouse Population Services International. A true creative at heart, his passion for the arts is evident not only in his support and management of visual and performance artists but also by his published anthology of poems ‘The Caress of Life’. Salorne currently holds a Masters in Sociology with Distinction and enjoys working with youth and building the spirit of volunteerism.
IG: @jabulous1

Amanda T. McIntyre

Amanda T. McIntyre is a Trinidadian author, artist and advocate focusing on cultural studies and literary scholarship. She is employed as an Advocacy and Policy Specialist. She presented her research paper, "Migration, Myths and Mas" at the Rex Nettleford Arts Conference in Kingston (2019). Her essay "Queering Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival" was presented at the 5th European Geographies of Sexualities Conference in Prague (2019). She recently presented at “The International Literary Conference on the Literature of Trinidad and Tobago: 1981-2020” hosted by the University of the West Indies, Faculty of Humanities and Education, Department of Cultural and Communication Studies, and Friends of Mr. Biswas in collaboration with The Ministry of Education, National Archives, and NALIS. Amanda is the founder of the She Right Collective, a Caribbean feminist organization focusing on sexual and reproductive health and rights.

IG:@amandatmcintyre

Habbika Lopez-Roberts performs 'Good Man' by India Arie for our second edition of EAST TALKS.

FOR COMMON GOOD

Promoting Social Change and Cultural Diplomacy through the Arts

The arts play a pivotal role in shaping the quality of intercultural relations. It serves not only as a conduit through which cultural heritage and identity can be experienced and interpreted but also creates a unique space for artists, audiences, and other stakeholders in cultural management to come together on a neutral platform. Despite this influence, the use of art to raise awareness of different cultures, promote social change, and strengthen intercultural relations, is the subject of little research and analysis, and is consistently undervalued.

FOR COMMON GOOD thus seeks to shine a much needed spotlight on the viability of arts for social change programming by building the capacity and strengthening the entire network of entities that promote social change through the arts. Helping them in their missions to directly empower the most vulnerable members of society.

Arima based FOR COMMON GOOD Platform aims to connect creative T&T youth to the world.

The FOR COMMON GOOD - Youth Art Enrichment Program offers youth aged 14-18 a precious opportunity to develop their unique identities and build skills that will benefit them for a lifetime through a year long, arts enrichment program that focuses on arts education at its core and includes social impact programming.

The program culminates in the first annual, internationally screened community-based FOR COMMON GOOD – Arima Arts Festival; an all day showcase of the arts education and the social impact sensitization deliverables covered in the program.

The Program runs from November 2020 to August 2021 and will:

Build and develop skills in Theatre Art, Visual Art, Dance and Music
Deepen civic engagement through sensitizing participants about themes of Gender Equality; Good Health and Well-being; Decent Work & Economic Growth; and Climate Action
Help develop personal artistic style, confidence and personal branding
Drive creativity, enterprise and employability skills
Develop and refine diplomacy skills
Increase cross-cultural competencies
Prepare participants for their roles as future leaders, change makers and advocates

Fully online, the program is open to youth across Trinidad and Tobago, with a time commitment of just two hours per week. The total cost of the 10 month opportunity is TTD $1,000 per participant and can be paid in monthly installments.

The program is hoping to offer at least 20 full scholarships for those participants most in need.

Please reach out to us if you would like offer a full or partial scholarship, giving a young participant the opportunity of a lifetime

For more information or to register visit: www.caribbeanfaff.com/for-common-good

Chapter 24

I'm a queen
Of the universe
I wear my crown with
Honor, Pride and Dignity
As I'm transitioning
From one chapter
To another
I embrace all positivity my way
I'm a sacred temple that was hidden
And restored and rooted in a strong legacy
That I burst into something powerful
And captivating A Tribal African Queen
Chapter 24 bring out the new me
A powerful Blacknificient Beauty
Though this year was tough
We still stand tall
Chapter 24 I live to see
I'm thankful I'm thankful
Greater things are ahead
New beginnings and Powerful Energy
All through the year.
Asé asé ooo.

Ayoka Jules
Cover Image

Beautiful handcrafted Polymer Clay accessories by Nadia Sankar of Nicola's Art Jewellery Designs, are exquisite, unique and eclectic. Nadia is a self taught polymer clay artist, inspired by science fiction, fantasy and world cultures. Her intricate details in every design make her work stand out from the rest!

Chic bags and clutches are made by the multi-talented June Sankar of Sugar Apple Designs.
June not only creates beautiful bags but she also designs and creates traditional mas costumes. She is inspired by bright, tropical colours and keeps her work unique by creating one of a kind pieces!

Items pictured are available at Boutique Est, at EAST YARD.

October 25 - Stitches School of Fashion: Lingerie Workshop

October 25- EAST TALKS: OPEN MIC NIGHT

October 31 - Art Aware

Art Aware
Mindful Writing Pt 2
Oct 31st,
10:00am-12:00pm
$100

Register Now

Stitches School of Fashion
$50/class,
Individual attention,
Call or Whatsapp for more info.

367-5861

Revenue generated by CFAFF through your support goes directly into funding our various arts-impact community based programs for youth, and now retirees interested in careers in the creative sector to assist with skill building, support internship opportunities and build job experience.

See our services below.

Murals are a bright and fun way to add a bit of personality to a room, and for a business, possibilities for painting murals are endless.

This Co-working space is the perfect place for creative professionals in need of a temporary, physical meeting or office space. EAST SPACE offers multiple amenities offered for rental for various types of events

The Boutique features creations from many artisans, including jewellery, body care products, clothing and more, for affordable prices!

1 bedroom, 1 bath, 2 bed apartment at EAST YARD
As low as $18 US per night
Visit here for more information..