British West Indies Students Find Inspiration in Ambergris Cay Plant and Wildlife for Local Art

July 2nd, 2009

British West Indies Students Find Inspiration in Ambergris Cay Plant and Wildlife for Local Art Contest

Turks & Caicos Sporting Club Welcomes Collegiate School Art Teacher to Photograph Ambergris Cay

July 1, 2009 – Ambergris Cay, TCI – The private island of Ambergris Cay in Turks & Caicos provided the environmental inspiration for a student art competition at British West Indies Collegiate School. The students, ranging in age from 10 – 14, have created their own unique stamps designs using printing, painting and drawing techniques based uniquely inspired by plant and wildlife pictures taken on Ambergris Cay.

Collegiate School Art Teacher, Joanna Pelleymounter, traveled to Ambergris Cay to photograph the natural botanical plant forms and unique wildlife found on the island. Pelleymounter took targeted species’ photos including shots of the native Turks & Caicos Rock Iguana and the Turks’ Head Cactus. These photos were shared with students back at the British West Indies Collegiate School for an artwork contest instructing students to create colorful stamps focused on plant forms and island wildlife, similar to the beautifully unique flora and fauna found on Ambergris Cay.

“British West Indies (Collegiate) students were inspired by Ambergris Cay’s 450-acre nature preserve,” said Joanna Pelleymounter, Art Teacher at Collegiate School, B.W.I. “They learned exciting new facts about the island’s unique wildlife and plant species, and students who had already visited Ambergris Cay shared the island’s eco-friendly emphasis in class discussions. Many wanted to capture the peaceful environment of Ambergris Cay.”

The student designs include stamp fundamentals consisting of price, a stamp name featuring Ambergris Cay or Turks & Caicos and an optional Queens’ head emblem or plant name. The contest was judged by Pelleymounter herself and Turks & Caicos Director of Culture, David Bowen. Both selected a stamp that features excellent technical drawing skills, a consistent use of scale, quality compositional concept with regards to the layout and design, and a harmonious color scheme; all the while reflecting the student’s personal style. Submissions were completed by June 23.

“One of our primary missions at Turks & Caicos Sporting Club is to preserve the natural beauty of this unique island for its members and their guests,” says Peter Pollak, Managing Partner, Turks & Caicos Sporting Club. “It’s a pleasure to know our youth are inspired by Ambergris Cay’s picturesque environment and we congratulate each and every student for participating.”

Forty Three students had approximately three weeks to submitted designs, which were each unique and incredibly creative; honorable mentions have been awarded to Marcus Been, Oliver Wolf, Raul Voizquez, Janetra Parker, LaTrivia Grant, and Sydney Lawson; third place went to Alana Kerr; second place to Ashley Greenwood, and in recognition of the most detailed, precise, and conceptually creative, first place was awarded to Davidson Louis.

Davidson Louis was rewarded with an incredible trip to Ambergris Cay’s newly constructed Environmental Learning Center, where the lucky student and a parent will get up close and personal with the flora and fauna that provided the artistic inspiration. Mr. Louis also received a color studio painting set, a generous donation from Unicorn Bookstore owner, Julia Hutchings. Ashley Greenwood, the second prize winner received a $150 gift voucher from Graceway IGA, the premier supermarket of Providenciales, while Alana Kerr, third place received a face painting set from Party Land.

In salute to students’ impressive creativity, Providenciales International Airport has graciously displayed the top 10 designs for international visitors from around the world to see.