The National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago, in partnership with Unicomer (Trinidad) Ltd recognized the creative work of young artists at the prize giving ceremony of their ‘Heritage is Me’ art competition. The small event was held at Mille Fleur on April 18th coinciding with the International Day of Monuments and Sites, also known as “World Heritage Day”. Students between the ages of 6-18 were given five weeks to create and submit an original work of art based on any built or natural heritage site in the country.
Ms Adalia Lisk with “A True Queen” won the 11-18 age group category with a creative interpretation of the architectural design of Queen’s Royal College.
Mr Caleb Bishop copped the prize for the 6-10 age group with his piece “Caroni Bird Sanctuary and Me” which was inspired by a field trip where a “flock of Scarlet Ibis forming a sea of red in the mangroves”.
The Best Representation of a Built Heritage Site was won by Ms BrittneyJagmohan with “Admiring the Stollmeyers’s Castle”. Her wish is for “all of us to deepen our appreciation of the diversity present in Trinidad and Tobago’s built heritage.”
Best Representation of a Natural Heritage Site was won by Ms Makadi Rojas with “The Caroni Bird Sanctuary” Ms Rojas says this location appealed to her because is as one of Trinidad’s most serene sites, with its famous mangroves and Scarlet Ibis on the glistening swamp.
Best Representation of Tobago Heritage Site, Mr Shemar Thomas from Tobago won with “The Old Anglican church at Les Coteaux”. Mr. Thomas hopes through his work others will be encouraged to have to have a deeper appreciation of the wooden buildings that form part of Tobago’s rich cultural heritage.
The People’s Choice Award “Beauty worth Defending”. by Mr. Adriel Ghany reflected on the Tobago’s heritage site Fort King George which overlooks Scarborough. As a military heritage site, the young artist explained that this offered protection in the past- and its defence of the country is the reason why we have beautiful things to witness today.
Given the theme “Complex Past, Diverse futures” for International day of Monuments and Sites 2021, Chairwoman of the National Trust Ms. Margaret McDowall explained that it is critical to preserve and conserve our cultural heritage, whatever form it may take. She reaffirmed the Trust’s commitment to this task and the importance of creating an awareness within our youth of the importance of the built and natural heritage of Trinidad and Tobago to the fabric of our identity. She expressed her pleasure at the quality and number of submissions received and congratulated all participants.
Unicomer’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Shahad Q. Ali expressed his amazement with respect to the quality of the artistic submissions sent in by students around the country. “The students illustrated such passion, emotion and dedication to artistic pieces that required time, creative thought and vision. It is our hope that we can continue to develop a relationship with the National Trust of T&T to foster a greater national appreciation for our heritage.
