National

Father and Son Take Junkanoo Art To New Heights

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Massive 18-foot-tall Junkanoo figures overlook Bay Street and the Nassau Cruise Port, welcoming residents and guests to the downtown area.

Published

11 months ago

January 17, 2024

Jean Joseph

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Massive 18-foot-tall Junkanoo figures overlook Bay Street and the Nassau Cruise Port, welcoming residents and guests to the downtown area.

The monuments result from a partnership between the straw market authority and cultural designs – a craft company led by Anthony Bain Sr. and his son Anthony Jr.

The duo specializes in Junkanoo art and carvings.

Bain Sr.’s love for the craft has led to his involvement in junkanoo over the past 50 years with several groups and earned him the designation as the “most winningest Junkanoo builder.”

He says he is grateful for the opportunity to pay tribute to the nation’s festival.

The pieces are carved from foam and the pair say they have made the pieces weatherproof and say they can remove the foam pieces when storms approach.

Following in his father’s footsteps in the junkanoo craft, Bain Jr. says these larger-than-life monuments are milestones in The Bahamas’ story and ensure that Junkanoo lives on Bay Street beyond Boxing and New Year’s Days.

And visitors like Brandon Grosman from North Carolina, and Charles Maxwell from Orlando, Florida, are taking notice of these colorful giants.

These giants remain nameless for now, but you could come up with something and leave your ideas in the comments.