NASSAU, The Bahamas -- The Orange Economy, and the role young people will play in its preservation throughout the country, was the kick-start to the 52nd Independence Anniversary celebrations.
On Thursday, May 22, 2025 the National Independence Secretariat staged a National Youth Art Forum at the Incubator for Collaborative Expression (I.C.E.) on Old Trail Road, where more than 100 tenth-grade students from various local high schools participated.
Present were Her Excellency Leslia Miller-Brice, chair of the National Independence Secretariat, and the Hon. Mario Bowleg, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture.
The Youth Art Forum initiative, a key component of The Bahamas’ 52nd National Independence Celebrations, aims to empower and inspire the next generation of Bahamian creatives.
Mrs. Miller-Brice said it is important for young people to engage in all expressions of art, and that the secretariat will showcase them front and centre during Independence.
The forum celebrated artistic expressions while nurturing the diverse talents and voices of our nation's youth through meaningful engagement and collaborative platforms.
Six Bahamian artists assisted with educating and engaging the students on the different aspects of art.
Those artists were His Excellency Jamaal Rolle, John Cox, Allan Wallace, Preston Hanna, Jessica Colebrooke, Philece Roberts, Selena Munroe, and Hillside House.
Art assistants included: Riquell Rolle, Kara Cartwright, Eddison Whyms, Justin Moultrie, and Reagan Kemp.
In addition to hands-on instruction, student artwork will receive mentorship and exposure through distinguished institutions such as:
* The D’Aguilar Art Foundation
* The Central Bank of The Bahamas
* The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas
The students were divided into five groups of 20 and participated in two sessions, guided by a professional artist and an artist assistant. Each student produced two art pieces during this event.
The National Independence Secretariat will feature the students’ work at a later date, as a part of ongoing Independence festivities.
The Independence team is also excited to implement an initiative to ensure that talented high school artists from Family Islands are included and represented.
(BIS Photos/Patrice Johnson)
