05/27/2025
St Elizabeth Jamaica owes me nothing but I thoroughly enjoyed the process of making this public artwork. Thank you to for trusting me with your vision as it was a huge honor to be immersed in the culture of St Elizabeth and to be showered with the hospitality of my beloved sisters and brothers who live there.
This project has expanded how I see art and community empowerment in the world. I am grateful for Lighton International Artists Exchange Program for awarding the grant that allowed me to participate in this amazing opportunity and for their understanding and continued support after the project was halted due to hurricane Beryl.
Thank you for being the perfect partner for this collaboration. Thank you for traveling with me on the last leg of this process and having my back on the installation. I’m grateful for our entire Ware collective team and the volunteers that joined us on this two year adventure. We will always have the memories of this experience as a testament that even after the devastation of natural disasters or other “ man-made “ atrocities intended to hold us down, such as the ones Black and Brown people now face in the US, the resilient spirit of our ancestors remains deeply rooted within us and will always empower us to rise up and stand strong!
Our ancestors, the guardians of legacy and the heart of this installation, are welcoming all who enter this space with presence, honor, and grace. The children’s portraits embody the joy, opportunity, and future made possible through their wisdom, work and sacrifice.
My hope is that the residents of St Elizabeth can see themselves as part of a greater legacy, and every visitor is reminded of the power of heritage, community, and collective resilience.
One Love y’all ✊🏾❤️
