“Cultural power”: the artistic community remembers Janine Charles-Farray
The creative and cultural communities paid tribute to the loss of Janine Charles-Farray, an arts and creative sector advocate at T&T, who died on Saturday.
FilmTT said it was saddened by her passing, remembering her as a “passionate professional who was a strong advocate for the arts and creative industries in Trinidad and Tobago.”
“As we reflect on his illustrious career, we will especially remember his hard work and commitment to film/television marketing and promotions, having represented and consulted on major feature film projects such as Trafficked, The Longest Wait, God Loves The Fighter, No Bois Man No Fraid, and many more,” FilmTT said in a brief statement.
FilmTT said his legacy will continue through his many projects in film, music, fashion and dance.
He offered his condolences to his family and friends.
The Trinidad and Tobago Performing Arts Network, of which she was a founding member, also offered condolences.
The network remembers Charles-Farray as “a true gladiator, champion, ambassador of creative and cultural arts in Trinidad and Tobago, a mentor and a friend”.
The Lydian Choir said they learned of Charles-Farray’s sudden passing with heavy hearts.
She was a long-time Lydian singer, soloist, former board member and communications manager for the famed choir.
The Lydians recall: “Janine was a wonderful person, an incredible performer, a talented and gifted strategist and a passionate advocate for the arts. She will be greatly missed. »
“On behalf of the board, management and all members of The Lydians, we would like to offer our deepest and most sincere condolences to his mother, Marva De Freitas Charles (Auntie Marva) and her family, that we keep in our prayers,” the choir offered.
The National Drama Association of Trinidad and Tobago (NDATT) also joined the national creative and cultural communities in mourning the passing of Charles-Farray.
NDATT President Safa Niamat-Ali said she was speechless and surprised by the news.
“She has done so much for the artistic community, and we will suffer greatly from this loss. She was one of the few marketers who majored in the arts,” she said.
The NDATT President added: “The then Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts created the Cultural Relief Grants because she led the effort to include creative and cultural workers as self-employed to qualify for relief grants.
The Arts Association Collective of T&T (AACTT) could only survive because it held it together and was the bridge between organizations that didn’t want to stand together with those that did, as well as with the guards.
Niamat-Ali said Charles-Farray has been instrumental in working with NDATT to lead several initiatives for practitioners during the pandemic.
“She understood the challenges facing associations, organizations and arts groups and gave free advice and ideas to help and steer them in directions we wouldn’t or couldn’t think of. I don’t know if anyone could fill the void that exists now.
“NDATT mourns the loss of this creative powerhouse. We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends and all who knew her. May the ancestors come to meet her and greet her to bring her home safely,” writes the association.
