Photo: Derek Smith, Jr.
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Nassau, Bahamas - The
colours, murals and sculptures are everywhere -- on sides of buildings,
on facades and under eaves, adorning stairs -- 15 works of art that
are transforming 15 buildings and sites in downtown Nassau. It's all
part of Nassau's first full-fledged art in public places initiative.
Called Love My Bahamas, it is co-sponsored by the Coca-Cola and Downtown
Nassau Partnership in a way that has never before been seen in Nassau,
it's adding a splash of colour to a city that plays hosts to millions
of visitors a year.
Part
of a 15-month long campaign to bring excitement through art to historic
Nassau, Love My Bahamas got another step closer to its official launch
this week when signs were erected tying sponsors into the project and
Coca-Cola's tag line 'Open Happiness' into the visual displays.
"This
is a life-changing opportunity for downtown Nassau," said Vaughn
Roberts, Managing Director of the Downtown Nassau Partnership (DNP),
the organization charged with spearheading the revitalization of historic
Nassau. "I don't think there has ever been a more exciting time
for art and this is the first time we have ever had anything of this
magnitude."
Photo: Derek Smith, Jr.
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For
Coca-Cola and the local bottler in The Bahamas, Caribbean Bottling Company,
the project is both corporate and personal. Caribbean Bottling Company
CEO, Walter Wells recalls downtown Nassau in its heyday. "Just
walking along Bay Street made you feel alive. The air was electric.
You could sense the buzz and excitement," he says. On a corporate
level, supporting the redevelopment is what Mr. Wells called "one
of the most important initiatives we have ever undertaken because of
the size, scope and length of commitment. The project also reflects
the company's
Live Positively philosophy." Coca-Cola supported
the competition leading to the selection of artists and coordinated
the workshop bringing together local and international talent.
"We
cannot thank Coca-Cola enough for its contribution to this massive undertaking,"
said DNP Co-chairman Charles Klonaris. "The art has changed the
cityscape of Nassau and provided visitors with something new to look
at, talk about and photograph. It has given rise to a new reason to
do a walking tour. Anything that adds to the visitor experience is good
for us as a destination and should be celebrated."
Participating
artists include Antonius Roberts, John Beadle, Chantal Bethel, Lillian
Blades, John Cox, Claudette Dean, Tyrone Ferguson, Maya Hayuk, Jace
McKinney, Toby Lunn, Kishan Munroe, Jolyon Smith, Allan Wallace, Arjuna
Watson and Daniel Weise.
Photo: Derek Smith, Jr.
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Photo: Derek Smith, Jr.
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