At the 2017 Western Art Exhibition, you will find women from Sanasana Village in Nadroga.

The event which started yesterday has brought more than 50 artists and handicraft specialists from Sigatoka to Rakiraki at Koroivulu Park.

Fiji Arts Council Crafts Development Officer, Niqa Tuvuki said the exhibition would be categorised in different sections from mat weaving to pottery.

She also thanked the women from Sanasana Village for their participation after attempts in convincing them for the past three years.

“We are so happy to have them onboard and we hope that this will be an eye opener for them on how they can use their God-given talent and resources around them to be able to earn money,” Ms Tuvuki said.

Sanasana Women’s Group leader, Kesaia Maramanivalu thanked the Council for their assistance.

She said they initially used to buy handmade crafts from other shops and sold them to hotels.

“But now we just make them with the resources around our village like sea shells, tapa and coconut shells, we make jewelleries out of them and sell them to tourists as souvenirs.

“We are so happy to be part of this event and hope to showcase our products,” Ms Maramanivalu said.

Council Information and Planning Officer, Venasio Komai said the event provided an opportunity for local and the international community to view the wide spectrum of Fiji’s traditional and contemporary crafts.

The event ends tomorrow.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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