Alton Aimable, founder and president of Tropicalfete Inc., a cultural arts organization in Brooklyn, is spreading Christmas cheer, while educating youths and adults through its recently unveiled, Tropicalfete’s Caribbean Cultural puzzle, a 500-piece Classic Edition Jigsaw, he said, was a group project.
The jigsaw puzzle could be purchased at the Christmas Fete Holiday Market, Santa Claus & Toy giveaway on Saturday, Dec. 19, from noon to 2 pm, at the Flatbush Caton Market, 2184 Clarendon Rd. Christmas caroling by Tropicalfete will follow.
The St. Lucian-born artistic leader who founded the online non-profit, Tropicalfete.com more than 10 years ago, with a mission to develop arts and social services within the community, winning prizes at the Annual Children’s Carnival parade along the way, said, many aspects went into creating and launching the family pastime.
He told Caribbean Life that it was the brainchild of Paul Dolor to include a pamphlet on Caribbean history, geography, economy and culture, while Reysha Spooner and Brittany Somerset were involve in taking professional photos for packaging and marketing of the product.
Additionally, Ahmad Srour created the graphics, as Amiya Falby and Janeen Pottinger tested the product before it was available to the general public. Ava, Deborah and Siva were hand models.
“We all learned a lot on this project and know the consumer will enjoy their purchase and learn a lot. The purchase of the puzzle helps us with our mission of developing the community in arts and social services with the focus on educating the community on Caribbean culture. The projects we engage in are to use culture as a tool for social transformation,” he shared.
He explained further, that there are many benefits to gain from the use of the puzzle, such as improved memory, mental exercise, and visual spatial reasoning. The meditation tool and stress reliever also brings family together.
Amiable, whose dream is to take Caribbean culture to the international level where it will be accepted without discrimination or biases, said Tropicalfete’s Caribbean Cultural puzzle is a great activity for social events, and helps to soothe Alzheimer’s patients, as it shares cultural education to both children and adults. The puzzle is crafted for all groups, he said.
Available for Christmas, birthday parties and social gatherings, the 500-piece jigsaw, made with premium quality material, with a finished size of 8 in x 24 in, costs $19.95, and can be purchased at www.amazon.com. Proceeds go towards the organization’s community programs, which include steel pan music, costume design, and stilt dancing instruction.
To learn more, or make a donation, go to https://tropicalfete.com.
