Sailing in Antigua, a photographic exhibition by Edwin Gifford to benefit the National Sailing Academy, which offers free sailing and swimming instruction to the youngsters of Antigua, will open at the National Sailing Academy Wednesday, April 19th, with a reception from 5:30 to 8:30. Catered by Sandra Folkes-Joseph of the Island Fusion Restaurant, light Refreshments and beverages will be served. The Micheal Kehn band featuring Lyn Pierce and Rich Miller will be performing Blues and Rock standards and dancing will be encouraged. All proceeds from the sale of this work will go directly to benefit the National Sailing Academy's youth programming.
Sailing in Antigua, a photographic retrospective of the Antigua Classic Regatta documented by Ed over the past 23 years, portrays man, (And woman,) boat and sea at their most elemental, dramatic and beautiful. Ed states that Antigua is the world's best “canvas" for photographing sailing. "the fleet of boats, The stunningly blue Caribbean waters, the tremendous trade winds, the incredible, vibrant light and of course the top shelf, and superb local sailors make Antigua a photographer’s paradise”
Ed is an award-winning photojournalist who has been Sailing in and photographing on Antigua since first arriving here on a yacht delivery from Sag Harbor, New York, in the fall of 1989. Ed’s work has been published in the New York Times, the New York Post, the Washington Post, the Bristol Phoenix, the Sag Harbor Express, the East Hampton Star, Yachting Magazine, Points East Magazine, Hamptons Magazine, 27 East Magazine and the Independent. Ed is currently a contributing writer and photographer for the Antigua Observer Newspaper.
Ed began his professional photographic career at the age of 14 shooting stage productions for his father, a Broadway theatrical publicist and was influenced by the work of photojournalists Alfred Eisenstadt and Gordon Parks.
Gifford, also a boat owner and sailor, holds a 100 ton master captain’s license and has been racing and delivering yachts worldwide for over 40 years.
Gifford is honored to be producing an exhibition For the Benefit of the National Sailing Academy. “The work that Alison Sly-Adams, Sylvester Thomas, and their team are doing at the NSA is truly really remarkable!
These youngsters at “NSA” are not only learning the life lessons of hard work, accountability, independence, and team work…. They also seem to be having the world's greatest times out there on the water! and It's just a joy to see them flourishing."
