Fireburn Heritage, Inc., led by Resident Artist Angela Golden Bryan, is proud to announce the success of the “Virgin Islands ABCs Initiative: Cultivating Cultural Literacy in VI Youth,” which is being carried out as part of Angela’s residency at the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts (CMCArts) this Fall.
The initiative empowers local third graders to explore, appreciate, and celebrate the Virgin Islands’ unique heritage through cultural immersion, artistic expression, and storytelling, according to the press release.
This educational program will culminate in the creation of an ABC book, which will showcase VI-specific items, locations, and narratives for each letter of the alphabet. The book, co-authored by Angela Golden Bryan and Erin Shae Bryan, will serve as an invaluable educational resource for elementary school students and will be distributed to all public elementary schools in the Virgin Islands, ensuring equitable access to this cultural resource, the press release stated.
This is week five of the five-week residency on St. Croix. In addition to cultural discovery hikes with renowned cultural historian Professor Olasee Davis, the children have selected their letter of the alphabet, along with the item, person, or place that the letter represents. Each week, Angela has also been reading to the students from her children’s books, “James and The Fireburn” and the newly published “Anna and the Goat Foot Woman.” Through this storytelling, students are exposed to Virgin Islands folklore and historical figures, a core value of Fireburn Heritage, Inc, the release stated.
The initiative also meets specific standards outlined in “The Kallaloo Framework: The Virgin Islands Cultural Standards,” including:
Key Student Performance Indicators include:
- Knowing local Virgin Islands plants.
- Being knowledgeable about native land and sea animals of the Virgin Islands.
- Knowing cultural and folklore figures of the Virgin Islands.
- Identifying the territorial symbols of the Virgin Islands, such as the bird, flower, and food.
- Being knowledgeable of the marine ecosystem in the Virgin Islands.
During the final week of the program, students will complete their watercolor paintings and conduct research on the items they painted, which will be included in the ABC book. The students’ accomplishments will be celebrated in January when the finalized book is distributed, and their classes will be honored for their contributions. The schools selected for this year’s project include Claude O. Markoe, Alfredo Andrews, and Ricardo Richards Elementary Schools, according to the release.
Through collaboration between Fireburn Heritage, Inc., CMCArts, and local educators and artists, including CMCArts Education Coordinator Jessica Parker White, Art Director Danica David, and Davis, this initiative aims to preserve and celebrate the cultural heritage of the Virgin Islands while fostering a deep sense of pride and understanding in young students, it said.
“We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve in this capacity,” said Angela Golden Bryan. “As the resident artist, I am both humbled and honored to contribute to this meaningful project, which not only fosters cultural appreciation and storytelling skills but also ensures the preservation of our rich cultural tapestry for future generations. It is truly a privilege for Fireburn Heritage, Inc. to work alongside such esteemed individuals as Professor Olasee Davis, Jessica Parker white, and Danica David, who bring their invaluable expertise and dedication to this initiative.”
This project has been made possible by funding from CFVI with support from NEH. Additional funding from the Resist Foundation is also helping to ensure the successful completion of the Virgin Islands ABCs Initiative by covering essential project expenses, the release stated.
About Fireburn Heritage, Inc.:
Fireburn Heritage, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich cultural history of the Virgin Islands through art, education, and community engagement. Its initiatives focus on fostering cultural pride and appreciation while ensuring that the island’s unique heritage is passed down to future generations.
For more information, please contact Angela Golden Bryan at FireburnHeritage@gmail.com.
