The first phase of the Antigua and Barbuda–Jersey Art Exchange concluded on 24 July 2026 with the official unveiling of a collaborative public mural at Elizabeth Marina in Jersey, celebrating the shared cultures, histories, and friendship between the two island communities through the visual arts.
Representing Antigua and Barbuda were Joyce Murray-Watkins, Trinity Hughes and Tse Pigott, students of the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS), who 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 showcases the shared identities of Antigua and Barbuda and Jersey through imagery featuring iconic landmarks, native flora, cultural traditions, and the sea that connects both island communities.
The exchange is part of the growing partnership between Antigua and Barbuda and Jersey, which continues to expand through collaboration in education, leadership development, hospitality, sport, music and the creative industries. Later this year, artists from Jersey will travel to Antigua and Barbuda to create a second public mural ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026. Jersey artists Max Corbett, Aimée Cast and filmmaker Toby Norman will work alongside Antiguan and Barbudan artists under the guidance of curator Jacqueline Rutter and Mark Brown, who jointly developed the creative brief for the exchange.
Her Excellency Karen-Mae Hill, High Commissioner of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Kingdom, welcomed the successful completion of the first phase of the initiative.
“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. I join with the Honourable E.P. Chet Greene, Chair of the CHOGM 2026 Task Force, the Honourable Daryll Matthew, Minister for Education, Science and Technology, and Dr. E. Jonah Greene, President of ABCAS, and all our donors, in expressing how immensely proud we are of Joyce, Trinity and Tse for representing our nation with such talent, professionalism and enthusiasm.”
Reflecting on the exchange, Mark Brown described the programme as a transformative experience that enabled students to immerse themselves in another culture while demonstrating how art can build bridges between communities. He noted that the mural celebrates the resilience, creativity and unique character of both Jersey and Antigua and Barbuda while highlighting their shared humanity.
The participating students also reflected on the lasting impact of the experience. Tse Pigott said the exchange broadened her artistic and personal perspective through exposure to Jersey’s culture and its people. Trinity Hughes highlighted the value of collaboration and said the experience deepened her appreciation for Antiguan and Barbudan culture. Joyce Murray-Watkins described the programme as both inspiring and rewarding, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to create and learn in a new environment.
The project was made possible through the support of ArtHouse Jersey, the Government of Jersey, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies, the Antigua and Barbuda High Commission in London, Ambassador Sami Al-Mufleh, Ann Chapman-Daniel and Shiri Daniel of the Galleon Foundation, Alison Morgan and the JCG Foundation, host families, and numerous partners and sponsors who contributed to the success of the exchange.
