On Grand Bahama, straw plaiting isn’t just a souvenir — it’s a living tradition shaped by African ancestral knowledge and the resilience of enslaved Bahamians who transformed local resources into both art and livelihood. The craft, which blends techniques from African forebears and Seminole communities who sought freedom in Andros, is having a resurgence in Freeport through the Grand Bahama Port Authority’s (GBPA) Crafters Academy. In July 2025, the academy hosted a two-day “Crafting Couture” workshop led by veteran artisans Vernetta Frith and Roganna Wilchcombe of Strawtacular Designs — both Cacique Award recipients and longtime stewards of the island’s straw heritage. This guide covers how visitors can find and participate in Bahamian straw weaving workshops, what to expect, and how to make the most of the experience.
Vernetta Frith, Cacique Award-winning straw artisan: “Straw is nature’s gift that keeps giving. Unlike synthetic materials that harm our oceans, straw grows back, biodegrades naturally, and carries the soul of our islands in every fiber.”
Bahamian straw weaving workshops are accessible to visitors, but they’re not drop-in tourist attractions — you’ll need to plan around specific academy sessions or connect with artisans directly. The experience is worth the coordination, especially if you want something more meaningful than a market-stall purchase.
Cultural travelers
Craft enthusiasts
Souvenir seekers
| Workshop Type | Best For | Standout Feature | Time Needed | Key Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crafters Academy Session | Structured learning | Led by Cacique Award artisans | 2 days | Check GBPA’s Small Business Bureau calendar for free workshops |
| Artisan-led private session | One-on-one instruction | Focus on technique, not production | Half-day | Contact Strawtacular Designs directly for availability |
| Market-side demonstration | Casual observation | See work in progress, buy direct | 30 minutes | Port Lucaya Marketplace has the highest concentration of weavers |
The Crafters Academy Experience in Freeport
The most structured way to learn Bahamian straw weaving is through the GBPA’s Crafters Academy, run through the Invest Grand Bahama Small Business Bureau. The July 2025 “Crafting Couture” workshop gave participants two full days with Vernetta Frith and Roganna Wilchcombe, who demonstrated how to transform renewable straw into high-value products. The academy’s stated goal is to strengthen Grand Bahama’s crafts sector and position artisans for growing demand in straw goods — partly driven by the transformation of Celebration Key, which is expected to bring roughly 2 million additional visitors annually to the island.
Workshops are free when offered through the academy, but sessions aren’t continuous — they’re scheduled periodically based on funding and artisan availability. The best approach is to check the GBPA’s Small Business Bureau calendar a few months before your trip. If a session aligns with your dates, it’s an incredible deal; if not, you’ll want to explore private options.
Visit the GBPA’s Small Business Bureau page or call ahead — workshop dates aren’t published more than a few months out. If a session overlaps with your stay, register immediately; free workshops fill quickly.
The academy typically provides straw and basic tools, but you’ll want to bring a notebook, comfortable seating cushion (chairs can be basic), and water. Sessions run full days — pace yourself.
The core technique is a three-strand plait that forms the base of most Bahamian straw work. Vernetta Frith emphasizes that mastering this single motion unlocks dozens of patterns. Expect to repeat it dozens of times before it feels natural.
Day two focuses on turning your plait into a finished piece — a small bag, coaster set, or decorative mat. This is where you learn tension control, joining techniques, and edge finishing. A compact 4K camera with a gimbal is handy for recording technique close-ups without shaky footage.
Ask Vernetta or Roganna about the Seminole influence on Andros straw work — it’s a piece of Bahamian history most visitors never hear about, and it adds real depth to the craft.
Private Sessions with Strawtacular Designs
If the academy schedule doesn’t line up with your visit, Vernetta Frith and Roganna Wilchcombe of Strawtacular Designs occasionally offer private sessions. These are less structured than the academy workshops — more like sitting down with a master craftsperson and learning at your own pace. The focus is on technique rather than production, which means you’ll come away with a deeper understanding of the craft even if you don’t finish a piece.
Private sessions are ideal for visitors who want to focus on a specific item — a market bag, a hat brim, or decorative wall piece. The instructors will tailor the lesson to your interest and skill level. If you’re traveling with children, let them know in advance; they’ve taught kids as young as eight the basic plait.
Market-Side Demonstrations at Port Lucaya
For a less formal introduction, head to Port Lucaya Marketplace in Freeport. Several straw vendors work on-site, and many are happy to demonstrate techniques while they sell. This isn’t a workshop — you won’t sit down and weave — but it’s the easiest way to see the craft in action and ask questions. You can also purchase finished pieces directly, supporting artisans without committing to a full session.
Port Lucaya can get crowded when cruise ships are in port, and vendors may be more focused on sales than demonstrations. Visit on a non-cruise day if possible, or arrive early before the crowds peak. The guide to the Bahamas’ most secluded beaches can help you plan quieter days around your workshop schedule.
The Cultural Roots of Bahamian Straw Plaiting
Understanding where the craft comes from transforms the experience from a simple activity into something richer. Bahamian straw plaiting traces back to West African weaving traditions brought by enslaved people, adapted over generations using local materials like silver palm and thatch palm. The Seminole influence is specific to Andros, where escaped slaves and Seminole refugees intermarried and exchanged craft techniques — a lesser-known chapter of Bahamian history that still shapes regional styles today.
Lisa Codella, Creative Director at Crafters Academy, has worked with designers like Anthea Bullard for Hardour, Dominic Russell (Pastry Boy), and Edilzabeth Newball for Bella Vissi to integrate straw work into contemporary fashion. The “Crafting Couture” workshop was part of this push to reframe straw as a high-value material rather than a cheap souvenir commodity. Fatima-Zahra Kaboub, Founder and Chairman of Freeport Fashion Week and ArtLucaya, has been a key advocate for elevating the craft’s profile.
If you visit Andros, ask local weavers about the Seminole connection — it’s rarely mentioned in tourist literature but is a point of pride among older artisans. The guide to the world’s largest blue hole in Long Island might seem unrelated, but Andros has its own blue holes and is worth a separate trip to explore both natural and cultural depth.
Practical Section: Planning Your Workshop Visit
When to Go
Freeport’s dry season (November through April) is the most comfortable for outdoor market visits, but the Crafters Academy runs workshops year-round depending on funding cycles. Summer sessions are less frequent but possible — the July 2025 workshop was held mid-summer. If your schedule is flexible, call the GBPA Small Business Bureau two to three months out to ask about upcoming dates.
What to Bring
Comfortable seating, water, and sun protection are essential for outdoor or semi-covered workshop spaces. A notebook for technique notes is useful. If you want to record the process, consider a compact camera with stabilization — the close-up hand movements are fast, and shaky phone footage won’t capture the detail. The DJI Mini 3 with Fly More Combo offers vertical shooting and extended battery life that makes it easy to capture both wide shots of the workspace and tight hand-detail footage without running out of power.
Straw is a renewable resource that biodegrades naturally — unlike synthetic materials that harm marine ecosystems. Choosing handmade straw goods over plastic souvenirs supports both local artisans and environmental sustainability. The conch salad masterclass guide is another hands-on way to connect with Bahamian culture through craft and cuisine.
Cost Expectations
Crafters Academy workshops are free when offered. Private sessions with Strawtacular Designs typically run $40–$60 per person for a half-day including materials. Market purchases range from $10 for small coasters to $150+ for large, intricately woven bags. There’s no pressure to buy, but direct purchases are the most immediate way to support the artisans who make these workshops possible.
Some vendors sell machine-made straw goods imported from Asia, passing them off as Bahamian handwork. Look for slight irregularities in the weave — handmade pieces have subtle variation that machines can’t replicate. Ask the vendor where the straw was sourced; genuine Bahamian work uses local silver palm or thatch palm.
Before You Go: Freeport Straw Workshop Questions Answered
Can beginners really learn in a day?
Yes, but with realistic expectations. The basic three-strand plait can be learned in 20 minutes, but achieving even tension takes practice. By the end of a two-day workshop, most beginners complete a small item like a coaster or wristlet. Don’t expect a full bag on your first try.
Are workshops suitable for children?
Children around eight and up can manage the basic plait with supervision. The Crafters Academy doesn’t have a dedicated kids’ program, but private sessions with Strawtacular Designs can be arranged for families. Lily enjoyed the tactile aspect at age nine, though she needed help with tension control.
What if I can’t find a workshop date?
Visit Port Lucaya Marketplace and watch artisans work — you’ll learn by observation. Many vendors will explain their process if you show genuine interest. You can also buy unfinished straw and practice the plait at home using online tutorials.
Do I need to buy materials beforehand?
No — workshops include materials. If you’re practicing independently, dried silver palm leaves can be sourced from craft stores in Nassau or Freeport. Avoid using synthetic raffia; it behaves differently and won’t teach you the right tension.
Is this just for women?
Not at all. While the craft has been historically women-dominated in the Bahamas, the Crafters Academy and private sessions welcome all genders. Michael sat in on a session and found the geometric patterning surprisingly engaging — it’s as much about spatial reasoning as manual dexterity.
- Crafters Academy workshops are free but scheduled irregularly — check months ahead.
- Private sessions with Strawtacular Designs offer flexible, personalized instruction for $40–$60.
- Port Lucaya Marketplace is your backup for casual observation and direct purchase.
- Handmade Bahamian straw has subtle weave irregularities — a sign of authenticity.
- Understanding the African and Seminole roots of the craft adds real depth to the experience.
Beyond the Souvenir: Why This Craft Matters
Straw weaving in the Bahamas has always been more than a tourist commodity. It’s a thread connecting generations, ecosystems, and cultures — from West African looms to Andros cane fields to Freeport fashion runways. Taking a workshop won’t make you a master, but it will change how you see the straw bags in every market stall. You’ll start noticing the tension, the joinery, the hours behind each piece. That shift in perception is the real souvenir.
If you’re planning a trip that balances hands-on culture with time on the water, the Thunderball Grotto snorkeling guide is a natural complement — both experiences put you in direct contact with what makes the Bahamas distinct, above and below the surface.
References
The Grand Bahama Port Authority Limited. “Culture Meets Couture at GBPA’s Crafters Academy Training.” GBPA Media, July 2025. ↗
Magnetic Media TV. “Culture Meets Couture at GBPA’s Crafters Academy Training.” Magnetic Media TV, July 2025. ↗
For more Bahamian experiences that go beyond the typical resort itinerary, browse the guides to sunset champagne cruises and blue hole diving in Long Island — both offer chances to see the islands from perspectives most visitors miss.
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