For Ketty Lovo and her family, art is both a livelihood and a way of keeping culture alive.
Through paintings inspired by their heritage, customs and the natural beauty of Tanna and Erromango Islands, they share stories that carry deep meaning.
When the December 2024 Port Vila earthquake struck, a BLP Rebuild Business Grant provided vital support to help them recover, rebuild their stock and carry on their family business.
Creating art has been a business for Ketty Lovo and her family since 2007. The family own a small booth at the Mahitahi Haos Blong Handikraft – a marketplace dedicated to selling and promoting authentic handicrafts made in Vanuatu. Each design portrays the family’s heritage: Ketty originating from Tanna and her husband from Erromango.
Their paintings are produced on canvas, jute fabric and traditional tapa cloth made from White Wood and Bunyan tree bark. They also paint designs on tablecloth, lavalava and on clothes. The paintings are a powerful way to preserve culture and tell local stories.
( The painting on canvas with acrylic paint shows women doing the Napennapen dance during the famous Toka dance on Tanna. The dance symbolises unity and friendship among the different tribal clans. In the painting also features the famous tourist attraction on Tanna the Yasur Volcanoe)
When the 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck Port Vila in December 2024, Ketty had to flee, leaving her paintings on display. With the town centre closed for nearly four months, she was unable to return to retrieve her artwork. During that time, many of her paintings were ruined by rain, while others were stolen, leaving her business with significant losses.
BLP Rebuild Business Grant
Despite these challenges, Ketty remained determined to rebuild. She learned about the BLP Rebuild Business Grant through the President of her handicraft association and applied through the Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce.
Having never received grant funding before, she was overjoyed when she found out her application had been approved.
(Painting showing a chief holding a stone axe. Different plant drawings signify peace, power and beauty.)
The grant provided much-needed support to restart her business. It enabled her to purchase essential materials, including acrylic and fabric paints, canvas, jute fabric, plain fabric, and hand-carved wooden stencils. She also used part of the funding to build a large worktable, creating a dedicated workspace where her family could paint together more efficiently.
With the new materials and improved workspace, Ketty was able to increase her production and rebuild her inventory.
Today, her business is thriving once again, serving tourists from hotels, cruise ships, and overseas visitors, particularly from France. Ketty has seen significant improvements in her business, with increased stock levels leading to higher sales. The Rebuild Grant not only helped restore her business after the earthquake but also strengthened its capacity for future growth, giving Ketty renewed confidence and hope for the future.
BLP facilitates access to business advisory services and financial support.
To start your journey with BLP, you can self-assess your needs by using the free online tools available to help small- and medium-sized businesses diagnose areas in their businesses that an advisor could improve.
The first step can be the online Business Health Check. You can also check your business’s resilience to respond to crises or climate change challenges on the Business Continuity Planner and the Climate Action Sensor. If you prefer to meet a local BLP representative in person to discuss your business, get in touch with our local partners to arrange a face-to-face Diagnostic.