Models Anya and Angelia Reyes wearing beautiful A.M.E.N Print House Dresses 
Photographer: Sarah Woodham

Greer Jones-Woodham is and always has been an artist. Some of her earliest memories include family concerts where she danced in and designed costumes for the plays that she and her siblings would “perform” for their parents. Needless to say, creativity was fostered in the Jones' household. Thus, it was no surprise that later in life, Greer went on to pursue a Diploma in Graphic Design from the then John Donaldson Technical Institute, and subsequently pursued a Bachelor's in Painting and Graphic Design from the acclaimed PRATT Institute in New York City.

Today, many people locally know that Greer is an i2i (Idea to Innovation) winner, but what most of them do not know is that this was not the first local competition won by Greer. In the 1980's, just after returning to Trinidad and Tobago after studying in New York, Greer entered and won Republic Bank's logo competition, giving us that familiar blue and white link logo seen on ATM's and Republic Bank branches across the Caribbean. It has been more than twenty-five years since Greer created that well-known design, but just three years since her i2i print house proposal allowed her to launch her dream business, A.M.E.N Print House. 

A.M.E.N is an acronym for 'A Memory Emerging New', a concept that is very close to Greer's heart. After spending time with elderly relatives with waning short-term memory, Greer recognised the power of long-term memories to a person's identity and decided to use her business platform to 'renew and revitalise aspects of our cultural identity that could easily be lost', by creating visual connections to Trinidad and Tobago's culture in her prints; hence her frequent use of steelpan motifs and the like in many of her designs.

The Print House facility is located at Greer's St. Ann's home, and specialises in the design and creation of textiles using graphic software and silk screen printing techniques. The Print House makes beautiful clothing and accessories, including: dresses, harem jumpsuits, purses and necklaces using the culturally attuned textiles they create. Customers with specific printing needs can also have their print ideas brought to life at A.M.E.N. Print House.

A.M.E.N. Print House is so much more than a textile printing, garment manufacturing facility with a cultural mission. This was the beginning of a second career for Greer. Whereas most people see retirement as a time to 'slow down'; Greer seized the opportunity to do the complete opposite….why not launch a new business? Then again, in applying the old adage 'that if you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life' then perhaps Greer is not so far from 'slowing down' after all. 

Through A.M.E.N, Greer has been able to merge her love for creating with the love she developed for teaching, after spending thirty (30) years as a teacher of the arts at both the secondary and tertiary level. Teaching is actually a fundamental part of A.M.E.N Print House's business structure; Greer currently has two young interns, Gerard 'Ross' Bousigard and Mikaela Corbie, both talented artists, who are being trained in silk screen printing techniques. Greer believes that passing on her printing skills to others is an important part of achieving her goal, which is to increase the local output capacity for textile manufacturing. She is seriously considering taking on an additional intern in the near future. On a deeper level, even life lessons have been passed on through the Print House. Through A.M.E.N Greer has been able to show her daughter, Sarah, an artist and fashion designer, that it is possible to have a structured, lucrative career as 'a creative'.

Interns Ross Bousigard and Mikaela Corbie carefully mixing dyes before starting the silk screen printing process

Interns Ross Bousigard and Mikaela Corbie looking on intently as Greer teaches them silk screen printing techniques at A.M.E.N Print House

Blank fabric is transformed into a beautiful textile by layering different prints and colours

As with any other business, A.M.E.N Print House has faced some challenges. The current size of the business makes it difficult for Greer to benefit from economies of scale, and, Greer admits that at her age she does not always have the energy to act on the many ideas she has running through her head. 

But, having her own business again, as she did on two separate occasions in the 80's and 90's, gives Greer a great sense of empowerment and joy. Many of the supporters of those early retail ventures have warmly welcomed her back to the world of entrepreneurship and thus far, the journey has been very rewarding. Greer, who is a member of The University of Trinidad and Tobago's uSTART Business Accelerator Programme is one of the top selling suppliers at the University's aboUTT Store, located at the Piarco International Airport. Her silk screen printed wraps and dresses have been a hit with locals and foreigners, especially from the United Kingdom. Greer is thankful for the aboUTT Store platform which has allowed her to reach international customers while still operating locally. She also credits uSTART for giving her timely access to business information, whether through invitations to apply for grants or just consolidated information on the various Government programmes that may apply to her business.

Greer is very optimistic about the future of her business, and she hopes that Trinbagonians will continue to see the cultural value of A.M.E.N. Print House. Greer is also hopeful that she can expand her printing facility outside of her home to a much larger location, where she can operate several printing tables simultaneously, thus increasing her output exponentially. This is another crucial step toward meeting her goal of increasing the textile manufacturing output capacity in Trinidad and Tobago.

Currently, Geer is collaborating with a local author to provide illustrations for an upcoming children's book. Given that Christmas is fast approaching, one can look forward to Greer's beautifully hand crafted Christmas decorations at pop-up markets across the country and a new collection of harem jumpsuits, high-low tops, horse-shoe and triangle dresses at the aboUTT Store. 

Models Anya and Angelia Reyes wearing the A.M.E.N Print House Two-Way Dress-Skirts
Photographer: Sarah Woodham