A striking new mural by artist — and Barbados Community College (BCC) alumnus — Shane Eastmond now enlivens the college’s fine arts division, marking a bold celebration of creativity and community while highlighting the transformative impact of public art on outdoor spaces.
The vibrant piece was a collaborative effort between hardware suppliers Kooyman Barbados and the college, with the new work standing as a tribute to the transformative power of art.
Chair of BCC, Dr Allyson Leacock, praised the mural not just for its aesthetic beauty, but for its deeper message of unity and inspiration.
She said: “I am delighted to be here to share in the celebration, not just of the unveiling of the mural, which I can’t wait to see, but to celebrate the power of art… not just to transform spaces, but to inspire minds and to unite communities because we are celebrating the creativity of all the colours on this campus, but also a creativity that mirrors the spirit and the energy of our Barbadian young people. Bold, bright, and full of promise.”
In a world facing increasing geopolitical tensions, Dr Leacock said, initiatives like this serve as a reminder of the healing power of the arts.
“Art is a cleansing and a healing power,” she said. “It is something that washes away from the soul, all the stresses of everyday life.”
Dr Leacock commended Kooyman for its vision and commitment to investing in creative spaces, describing the project as a shining example of what can be achieved when “education, artistry, and community converge”.
The mural was created under Kooyman’s “Colours of the Caribbean” initiative — a regional community project that brought together artists from five Caribbean islands to produce murals that reflect their communities’ unique identities while uplifting local spaces.
Charlene Mullin, marketing officer at Kooyman Barbados, said at the unveiling: “From the time we approached the Barbados Community College, they were completely willing to support us with this project. Five unique artists from our five islands were chosen to create a mural that brought to light the essence of their islands and help to uplift, support, and beautify their communities. Kooyman supported this vision with ideal mural locations, including BCC within the community as well as the painting supplies they needed to get the job done. This mural is the result of many talented hands and creative minds coming together. Shane Eastmond and his team have poured their vision, passion, and countless hours into bringing this masterpiece to life.”
The “Colours of the Caribbean” campaign has since earned multiple Addy Awards from the American Advertising Federation for its impactful contribution to community beautification and cultural celebration.
For Eastmond, returning to BCC to leave his mark on the very walls that shaped his artistic journey was deeply meaningful.
He said: “I came to this school as someone who was passionate about creativity, but whose eyes were opened by many teachers and students that I have shared this space with, and have caused me to, look to the horizon and see as far as I can see and know that there’s more beyond that. Another symbol in the mural is that all the imagery looks to the horizon, and it’s an evolution and a metamorphosis of change and development that we all do here at the school.” (SB)
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