Experience Tobago culture this month: the energised Carnival called the Freedom Festival October 28 to 30, or the more contemplative Art Trail to be revealed November 3. Pat Ganase reports.

As some flock to the Tobago Carnival this weekend, others may choose to get away from the revelry. They may seek quiet in nature on the cool forested Main Ridge or the beaches that punctuate the coast of north east Tobago. You can escape into the forest from Roxborough (on the east) or from Parlatuvier or Bloody Bay (on the west coast).

But if you choose to tour the beaches, you might start at Castara following the north-side (coastal) road through Englishman’s Bay, Parlatuvier, Bloody Bay, L’Anse Fourmi, Man o War Bay all on the Caribbean coast. At Charlotteville, the north-side road runs into the Windward Road and you climb the highest part of the island to descend on the Atlantic coast, Speyside, King’s Bay (at Delaford), Roxborough, Belle Garden. This route also takes you on the North East Tobago UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Art Trail that’s a showcase for artists of the area. The Art Trail was conceptualised by the Environmental Research Institute Charlotteville (ERIC). It is inspired by the work of artists of the area and students of Speyside High School facilitated by Tomley Roberts. Since 2017 ERIC had approached various funders for the art trail and BHP (now Woodside Energy) committed in 2021 and the THA in 2022.

[caption id="attachment_982650" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, right, Secretary of Food Security Nathisha Charles-Pantin, centre, and Health Secretary and area representative Dr Faith BYisrael take a photo in front Avian Orr's painting titled "Fisher Folk at the North East Tobago UNESCO Man and the Biosphere art trail, at Belle Garden Multipurpose Facility. FILE PHOTO -[/caption]

The art teacher at Speyside High School for the past 16 years, Tomley Roberts is the integrating force for students who will use art to express themselves and become advocates for their way of life and their natural environment. He describes himself as an artist practitioner, a teacher and community advocate. Working with ERIC, he created an artwork that would become the symbol to inaugurate the Man and the Biosphere Reserve of North East Tobago. The concept evolved around humans co-operating to hold up a piece of the island. What emerged is a sculpture of optimism, lifelike casts of three figures with arms extended to support what could be an island or a wave or a turtle. These figures were positioned in three of the cardinal points north, south and east. There is a space left for the visitor who could have his or her photograph taken in the west position.

The idea of the trail had its origin with the Parlatuvier Village Council working with ERIC to receive a UNDP grant in 2011. Jason Nedd of L’Anse Fourmi was commissioned to produce art pieces documenting traditional lifestyle and activity. It gained traction through other artists like Earl Manswel