Saint Lucia’s rising artists were celebrated last Friday as the Walcott Expressions Competition Prize Giving Ceremony recognised outstanding creativity inspired by Sir Derek Walcott’s work.
Hosted by the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF), the event was a highlight of the annual Nobel Laureate Festival, showcasing the talent and vision of young creatives across the island.
Executive Director of the CDF, Raymona Henry-Wynne, praised the diversity of entries, noting that the competition allowed participants “to express their interpretation of the work of Walcott” and this was “beautifully done in so many forms”.
She highlighted the evolution of the CDF’s contribution to Nobel Laureate Month, explaining that while the Derek Walcott Lectures have long been a central feature, the Foundation has deliberately expanded its offerings to include a broader range of creative participation.
Henry-Wynne encouraged participants to continue exploring and expressing their unique perspectives through the arts, while also inviting others within the creative community – “dancers… literary arts people” and other creatives – to engage with the platform.
The CDF executive director also called on parents to actively support their children’s artistic journeys and to recognise the power of the arts to inspire empathy and understanding.
The ceremony also featured participants from the Bordelais Correctional Facility. In his address, Minister for Crime Prevention and Conflict resolution, Jeremiah Norbert, described the prison environment as “a dynamic place”, noting that while not everyone is drawn to traditional vocational programmes, some of them are also interested in the arts.
He explained that the arts give inmates an important outlet to express themselves and “be able to see life differently”.
Norbert commended the CDF for extending the programme into the correctional facility, thanking the organisation for “not being afraid to take that bold step,” and acknowledged the staff of Bordelais for facilitating the initiative.
He expressed hope that this is not the last of such an initiative.
Winners included Khadijah Halliday (first place overall), Ken Hardy (second), Nicole Monalisa Samuel (third), and Koffee Emanuel (People’s Choice Award), along with Mandy Preville-Findlay, Kristina Daniel, Moesha Duelli, Adrian Vaudroqu, Richard Ambrose, Nickalus Flaviu, Mea Emmanuel, Vernel Alcide, Tanica Chausso, Dawn French, Satra St Louis, Mimi Mango (Mila Avril), Christy Charles, and Perlina Murray.
Cash prizes of $500, $300, and $200 were awarded to the top three.
