Young Antiguan – By Observer News Desk Newspapers
Young Antiguan Artists Create
Three talented students from the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS) have proudly represented the nation on the international stage after helping to create a large-scale public mural in Jersey, marking the successful conclusion of the first phase of the Antigua and Barbuda–Jersey Art Exchange.
Joyce Murray-Watkins, Trinity Hughes and Tse Pigott collaborated with young artists from Jersey to produce the mural, inspired by the theme “Safe Haven Across the Sea”. The artwork now stands at Elizabeth Marina in Jersey as a colourful symbol of friendship, shared heritage and cultural exchange between the two island communities.
Working under the guidance of the Head of Fine Arts and Creative Studies at ABCAS, Mark Brown, the students combined artistic ideas from both islands to produce a mural featuring iconic landmarks, native plants, cultural traditions and the sea that has long connected their histories.
The exchange is part of a growing partnership between Antigua and Barbuda and Jersey that has expanded beyond the arts to include education, hospitality, sport and leadership development. The collaboration is set to continue later this year when artists from Jersey travel to Antigua and Barbuda to create a second public mural in the lead-up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026.
Brown described the initiative as a life-changing opportunity for the young artists.
“This exchange has been a truly transformative experience for our students, providing them with the opportunity to immerse themselves in another culture, collaborate with fellow artists and see firsthand how art can build bridges between communities,” he said.
He noted that every element of the mural was carefully selected to celebrate the resilience, creativity and unique identities of both islands while highlighting their shared humanity.
For the students, the experience extended well beyond painting.
Pigott said travelling to Jersey broadened both her artistic vision and personal outlook.
“This exchange has given me an opportunity to see a new part of the world and experience different styles of art and culture,” she said, adding that learning from fellow artists in Jersey became the greatest inspiration behind the project.
Hughes said working alongside artists with different creative styles reinforced the importance of collaboration while deepening her appreciation for Antigua and Barbuda’s own cultural heritage.
“Working alongside artists with different styles taught me the value of collaboration, and the experience also made me appreciate my own culture even more,” she said.
Murray-Watkins described the exchange as an unforgettable opportunity.
“The trip was an amazing experience and opportunity that I was delighted to be a part of. As an artist, this trip allowed me to bloom and create away from home,” she said.
The initiative was jointly developed by Brown and Jersey-based curator Jacqueline Rutter and was supported by a number of organisations and sponsors in both jurisdictions, highlighting the strength of international collaboration through the arts.
