Sandra A. M Bell has chosen to revive Jack in the Green, a figure derived from West African masquerade traditions that were brought to the West Indies in the early 19th-century. The character has its origins in Celtic lore, where Jack in the Green was considered to be guardian spirit of the woodlands and a symbol of spring. Leading the May Day Parade, he would be covered with a bower of foliage and flowers. In time, the figure was associated with chimney sweeps who would accompany him in the parades. The British introduced Jack as one of many figures represented in Kingston during the holidays between Christmas and the New Year – an interval when slaves had “free” time to celebrate. After emancipation in Trinidad and Tobago, former slaves were able to celebrate in the streets with parades that drew from both West African and British traditions. Then the character of Jack became associated with the harvest using all sorts of indigenous plants. Jack has disappeared from contemporary carnival traditions so Bell revived him to inhabit Wave Hill and connect with our woodland spirits.

Sandra Archer Morris Bell is a third generation carnival costume designer of the Morris Family of artists from Belmont, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies. She came to New York when she was twelve and has traveled frequently back and forth. In addition to costumes, she has also created displays for Where Gods and Mortals Meet, Museum of African Art, Long Island City, NY; Message in the Masquerade from Brooklyn to Bahia, Nathan Cummings Foundation Gallery; All Roads Lead to the Bronx, Hostos Community College, Bronx, NY. She has received awards from the New York Foundation on the Arts, the Brooklyn Arts Council, and the Bronx Council on the Arts. She has participated regularly in the Kwanzaa festival at the American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY; and leads workshops with schools, community centers and museums throughout New York City. Ms. Bell will lead a Family Art Project, Nature Masquerade and Parade/Desfile de mascaras on October 28 and 29.