The first phase of the Antigua and Barbuda–Jersey Art Exchange concluded with the official unveiling of a collaborative public mural at Elizabeth Marina in Jersey. This marks the successful completion of an initiative that brought together young artists from both islands to celebrate culture, creativity, and friendship through the visual arts. Representing Antigua and Barbuda were Joyce Murray-Watkins, Trinity Hughes, and Tse Pigott, all students of the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS). They worked alongside artists from Jersey under the guidance of Mark Brown, Head of the Department of Fine Arts and Creative Studies at ABCAS. Inspired by the theme “Safe Haven Across the Sea,” the mural reflects the shared histories, identities, and cultures of Antigua and Barbuda and Jersey through imagery depicting iconic landmarks, native flora, cultural traditions, and the sea that connects both island communities. The exchange is part of a growing partnership between Antigua and Barbuda and Jersey, which has expanded in recent years through cooperation in education, leadership development, hospitality, sport, music, and the creative industries. Later this year, the collaboration will continue when artists from Jersey travel to Antigua and Barbuda to create a second public mural ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026. Participating in the Antigua and Barbuda phase will be Jersey painter Max Corbett, artist and illustrator Aimée Cast, and filmmaker Toby Norman, who will document the creative process. They will work alongside artists from Antigua and Barbuda under the guidance of curator and project facilitator Jacqueline Rutter and Antiguan artist and art and design lecturer at the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies, Mark Brown, who jointly developed the creative brief for the exchange. High Commissioner of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Kingdom, Karen-Mae Hill, welcomed the successful completion of the first phase of the project. “The unveiling of this mural is a wonderful celebration of what can be achieved when young people are brought together through creativity and cultural exchange. Beyond the artwork itself, this project has fostered friendships, encouraged mutual understanding, and further strengthened the relationship between Antigua and Barbuda and Jersey.” Reflecting on the experience, Mark Brown said: “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.”
