Nassau, Bahamas - When Andros-based artist Judith Papillon faces a blank canvas, she merely looks beyond it to see the cerulean sea that is her back yard. As she works re-creating the swirling blues and greens of the water, the powder-soft sand, the brilliant sky above, her brush flows as smoothly, as gently, as the waves flow to the lee shore. The result – breathtaking visuals that make you want to sink your feet into the sand, dip your toes in the water and close your eyes to make time stand still.

Papillon’s vivid sea and beach scenes were so sought after at a recent art show that three buyers wanted one of her acrylics, ironically titled Cerulean long before she knew that was the name of the art show it would be in.

The show, held at Melia Nassau Beach Resort, which co-sponsored the event, was the first art event organized to raise funds for Save The Bays, the popular non-government organization dedicated to protection of the marine environment and its resources. In the 18 months since Save The Bays burst on the scene, it has broken all records for NGO interest, filing lawsuits to hold violators accountable, gaining more than 17,000 Facebook friends and getting nearly 7,000 signatures on a petition to government seeking a Freedom of Information Act, an Environmental Protection Act and more.

“We chose the theme of portraying the majesty of the Bahamian waters and were very pleased with the quality of the work submitted,” said Diane Phillips, a Save The Bays director who helped organize the event.

“We are extremely appreciative to Melia for its support, to John Cox and his team for their assistance and especially to the artists who participated. There is so much untapped talent or under appreciated talent in the Bahamian arts community – visual and performing – and when you can marry an event that brings public attention to an important cause with those who deserve greater recognition, it’s the best of all worlds.”