Being told that she would never be able to make a living from art has done little to lessen Alisa Vavataga’s passion to paint.

Vavataga who is of Fijian heritage calls Solomon Islands home and its arts sector one of her main passions, actively seeking ways to improve conditions for artists like herself, in Solomon Islands, to be able to pursue their calling as artists.

Featured recently in a locally produced documentary Masterpieces, Vavataga was one of the voices highlighting the challenges artists in Solomon Islands face.

“Regular outlets, regular exhibitions this is key to artists being able show and sell their work, it also helps us develop our work because the more we create works of art the better we get,” she said.

Vavataga, one of the organisers of Mud Alley Market, says her decision to become involved in the market was the recognition that it could help to address some of these challenges.

“The idea of a street market, if it is established as a local attraction in Honiara, will provide artists with a regular outlet to display, sell and promote their work” she said, “but for me the biggest bonus I see, would be for it to become a place to inspire creativity amongst artists, musicians, designers - people who create.”