An organisation formed recently to represent the interest of practitioners in the Creative Sector is about to embark on a series of activities aimed at advancing the cultural and economic potential of the Creative Industry. The momentum for the formation of the group was provided by the Saint Lucia Coalition of Services Industries, SLCSI.

PACE, Professionals in Action for Creative Enterprise, was born out of an initiative to develop a film industry in St Lucia but the plan was broadened to include other sectors in the Creative Industry such as music, film, arts and craft, the performing and visual arts, publishing, fashion, audio-visual and advertising.

On Thursday November 19th, representatives of these sectors will meet at the Pastoral Centre to discuss a two to three year strategic plan for the Creative Industry. Among persons assisting with this initiative is Maxine Alleyne-Esprit, Business Development Officer at the OECS Export Development Unit.

Meanwhile the film component of the creative sector will be advanced this week with a special film programme organised by PACE with the support of the St Lucia Coalition of Service Industries (SLCSI). Frances-Anne Solomon, film-maker, producer, and director of the annual Caribbean Tales film festival in Toronto, will be present for a screening and discussion of her critically acclaimed film, A Winter Tale. The screening will be hosted by Caribbean Cinemas on Friday November 20th at 7pm.

PACE will also sponsor a workshop with Ms Solomon the following day on the establishment of a film festival. She will also share her experiences in film-making, and talk about the practical concerns involved in the launching of her Caribbean Tales annual film festival.
PACE President Bernard Fanis says ‘This is an exciting opportunity to learn first hand how the many creative talents of St Lucia can be exploited and showcased to a market hungry for content, and in our case content from St Lucia and the OECS.’ He goes on further to say; ‘PACE is firmly committed to building and maintaining a platform for St Lucian creative energies in a way that is sustainable and economically viable.’

PACE is a non-profit private sector association whose mandate is to advocate for creative industries and professionals, to identify and source opportunities for training and funding, and to promote innovation and to contribute to economic development. Another central objective of PACE is to work with the school system to develop co-curricular activities related to the creative industries.