Left: Antonius Roberts placed his own sculpture into the Leon Levy Preserve on Eleuthera on Earth Day. Photo COURTESY OF THE ARTIST Right: Benches as part of the National Bench Program under Antonius Roberts finally on display along the wetlands at the new road at Baha Mar. EDWARD RUSSELL III

Global Earth Day gives people a chance every year to reflect on how they can change their lifestyle choices into more sustainable and harmonious ones for the planet on which they live, but that doesn’t matter unless they are honored the other 364 days of the year.

Such is the message by two Bahamian artists who are transforming communities and minds through their work and artistic efforts.

On April 22, while Tyrone Ferguson unveiled a new sculpture on the island of New Providence, Antonius Roberts took his message to Eleuthera. The pair celebrated Global Earth Day in the only way they knew how: through sharing their work that takes inspiration from its environment.

Joining his sculptures already on the grounds, Tyrone Ferguson unveiled a new installation at New Providence Community Church. For this artist, who often creates sculptures using repurposed metal and wood, sharing the sculpture and speaking during their Sunday service was a chance to inspire the NPCC community – and beyond – to treasure their surroundings.

“We can make this world and community a better place if we all just put our hands to it,” he said. “God said we must use our creativity and imaginations to take care of this earth. When we intentionally put our hands to what God has provided us with, then we can experience what God has given us, we can experience healing and wellness and a closer walk with God.”

Indeed part of the decision to install more of his work at NPCC ties into his overall vision to transform the community church grounds into a place where members and visitors alike can find a spiritual connection with nature.

Already NPCC employs a number of recycling programs and considers itself deeply passionate about environmental justice. Such a philosophy has gifted space for sustainable sculptures by Ferguson and fellow collaborator Antonius Roberts on the grounds, including Ferguson’s new piece.

At the top of his sculpture sits a globe carried by many hands – traced by NPCC members and cut out by Ferguson – while underneath a doorway sits atop a repurposed bank vault door as a base. Ferguson hopes that the doorway creates a portal for its viewers – that by walking through it, no matter what day of the year, they focus on how to improve the earth.

“The hands hold the globe in a symbolic gesture of us participating in creating the world,” he said. “But there’s a disconnect here – we speak it, but are we intentionally making the world a better place, not just on Earth Day but beyond?”

“It’s going to take all of our hands to do this, it’s going to take commitment, time, talent and resources to do this,” he continued. “Pulling up a few casuarinas on Earth Day isn’t going to cut it; we want to hand off a better community to our children. We need to take it to the next level. We need to celebrate Earth Day 365 days a year.”

Doing just that is fellow artist and collaborator Antonius Roberts, whose artistic practice and community building initiatives always repurpose discarded wood to make gorgeous pieces. This Sunday he too unveiled a new sculpture at the Leon Levy Reserve in Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera as part of the One Eleuthera Foundation & Nature Conservancy’s celebrations this past weekend which also had the support of the government and the Bahamas National Trust. The sculpture was a male and female figure carved beautifully out of wild Tamarind wood salvaged by the Leon Levy staff after Hurricane Irene.

“I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to breathe life back into the wood,” said Roberts. “It was a spontaneous piece that follows the form, spirit and grain of the wood. My thought is we are stewards of the earth and I thought God has given us domain over this earth in a biblical sense.”

Indeed the figures, placed in such an environment as the breathtaking Leon Levy Preserve, create an Edenic atmosphere for visitors to ponder the beauty of nature and the need to preserve it.

The first national park on Eleuthera, the reserve not only acts as an educational resource for visitors but is also a haven for native plant species.

Adding to that environment, says Roberts, is the addition of three new benches in the space as part of his National Bench Program, which works in conjunction with the government’s Job Readiness Program and Baha Mar to turn discarded wood from the invasive species of casuarinas into beautiful and practical benches.

But the important aspect of this program is not so much the sustainability of material but of the craftsmen themselves. For the National Bench Program, young men have trained under Roberts in the craft of bench making, giving them vital skills and an awareness of sustainability in their field. The three benches in Eleuthera were made by two young men in high school under the National Bench Program.

“People were able to come and not only celebrate the sculptures we did but the spirit of transformation,”

said Roberts. “These men were so excited by the program that they would like to set up a bench-making industry on the island of Eleuthera when they return back from college because there is a proliferation of casuarina trees there.”

“So for me when we talk about preservation, the reality is we need to talk about sustainability – we need to create opportunities for our people to buy into the whole process of preservation,” he continued. “I think it is important for us to work with the schools and engage young people in the process so that they can take ownership and be responsible stewards.”

That’s just what Roberts aims to do with the National Bench Program. He adds that he was pleasantly surprised to see that over the weekend, Baha Mar had added 15-20 of these benches – made from the discarded wood of casuarinas during the clearing for their development – to their walkway flanking natural wetlands on the new rerouted Cable Beach Strip. The move was an appropriate one given the tone of Sunday.

Rather than be varnished and perfect additions to the environment, Roberts explains that these benches are made to weather over time along with its surroundings.

“They will be properly maintained and treated, but they are meant to grey and age like driftwood so they are part of the environment and landscape instead of just being placed there – they will weather and allow nature to take charge of how they wear,” he said.

Overall though, he finds the most significant aspect of the new display at Baha Mar is the work behind them by young hands. Such a practice is a promise for a better, more sustainable future in a rapidly developing world.

“I’m so proud to see these are benches made by young men,” he said. “I took them out today to have a look at those, and you should see them beaming with pride. The benches just look wonderful.”

Sonia Farmer
Arts & Culture
The Nassau Guardian
Published: Saturday, April 28, 2012

Created out of wild tamarind wood gathered after the last storm in Eleuthera

Photos provided by Antonius Roberts

I am delighted to be an active participant at their invitation for various reasons – the Nature Conservancy does important environmental work all over the world to everyone’s benefit, whether they are aware of it or not, and this occasion will be a huge benefit to the Bahama Islands.

I have long been a strong advocate of conservation, preservation and transformation and this is reflected in all my work; this particular celebration will focus attention on what we are doing in our own country to pursue this ethic; and in this instance it is a particularly good fit as I am currently training and mentoring young men and women, under the auspices of the Government Training Programme, in an initiative called The National Bench Programme.

The National Bench Programme Eleuthera based apprentices working at their trade - getting ready to participate in the Earth Day celebrations.

This programme is taking place not only in Nassau but on other islands and I currently have a group of enthusiastic young men in Governor’s Harbour who are creating benches to be placed in different locations throughout the area.  We now have 10 benches produced by these apprentices with the help of some high school students from Eleuthera.  With this programme it is my hope and my intention to not only teach a skill set but to encourage everyone to think about the beautiful environment they have inherited in our Bahamas and how important it is to preserve it for themselves and their children.

I have also created another ‘Sacred Space’ and placed some ‘Sacred Women’ on the beach as I have done previously at Clifton Cay, Blake Road and Taino Beach.  On this celebratory occasion, I will be creating a sculpture at the Leon Levy Preserve – continuing to weave the thread of our history through our islands.

If we want to see change, I believe it is our individual responsibility to make or be part of that change.  I want all of us to be aware that it is in our hands to transform our environment, our land and most of all our attitude.

Antonius Roberts 2012

Click for larger view

Six figures have been invested in the upcoming Jammin’ For Nature in Eleuthera, as the gathering looks to provide an economic boost while promoting sustainable industry.

The five events on April 21 also seek to highlight the island’s diverse cultural heritage.

“Eleuthera became the magnet because of what it has to offer through culture, heritage and conservation initiatives. For us, this made it the perfect place to highlight Earth Day,” according to Elenor Phillips, director at the Nature Conservancy in The Bahamas.

Shaun Ingraham, co-chairman of the One Eleuthera Foundation, explained how the weekend-filled events are also expected to bring an economic boost to the island.

“These events have not only brought people together, but it also focuses attention on the island’s cultural heritage that will strengthen communities to sustain their livelihoods and benefit Eleuthera and its residents for the future,” he noted. “Persons who work on the island in various industries will reap the benefits of this great Earth Day event. There are a good amount of venues being used and many vendors, artisans, businesspersons and entrepreneurs are contributing to the overall event.”

Bahamian artist Antonius Roberts and American artisan Barbara de Vries will be featured, including casuarina sculptures and beach trash jewellery.

The event’s organizers believe that initiatives will also have a positive impact on the country’s premiere industry.

Heritage tourism is a central component for future sustainability in Eleuthera. Visitors that engage in this type of tourism tend to invest more in their vacation, staying more than two weeks and subsequently pouring more dollars into the local economy.

The One Eleuthera Foundation and the Nature Conservancy are two major players in the Earth Day weekend activities.

Organizations such as Island Journeys, South Eleuthera Emergency Partners (SEEP), Island School, Bahamas National Trust Coastal Awareness, BREEF, the Eleuthera Land Conservancy, the Ministry of Tourism and the Leon Native Plant Preserve also assisted in this venture.

Azaleta Ishmael-Newry, the event’s PR and marking agent, told Guardian Business that more than 50 people are working on the ground and in Nassau to ensure that the inaugural weekend of events, which have the backing of major partners, are successful.

The Nature Conservancy has invested $150,000. Its work through the Eleuthera Land Conservancy and One Eleuthera has also led to the “Shared Vision for South Eleuthera” report, which outlines a number of ideas and suggestions in regards to the development of a sustainable plan for Eleuthera. More information on that report can be found at www.oneeleuthera.org.

Infrastructure development at heritage and cultural sites include signature projects such as the Eleuthera Arts and Cultural Centre, the construction of another Emergency Operations Centre in Wemyss Bight, improving signage at Preacher’s Caves and the implementation of a new nature and conservation trail that was launched this weekend.

“Another encouragement of an event like this is to get people who haven’t been back home for a while or need an excuse to come back home, to come and reconnect with family, friends and the island. We want people to connect their inner soul to Eleuthera,” Ishmael-Newry explained.

Scieska Adderley
The Nassau Guardian
Published: Monday, April 16, 2012

Next-door-neighbor Carl Bethel enjoys some complimentary coffee from Dunkin Doughnuts after watching Hardy’s pen-making demonstration.

Every Wednesday morning from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. is a relaxing and welcoming Neighborhood Coffee Morning at the Antonius Roberts Studio and Gallery at Hillside House on Cumberland street.

Twice a month they feature artists working in different disciplines leading demonstrations.

Recently, singer Keri Sherman shared her beautiful voice with guests as they enjoyed coffee complimentary through partners to Hillside House, Dunkin Doughnuts.

Last month Robin Hardy was on hand to turn out his famous handcrafted pens, leading demonstrations and giving guests a try.

Robin Hardy gives a pen-making demonstration at Hillside House

Photo by Roland Rose

In 2005, two Bahamian artists collaborated on a poignant and stunning art installation on the historical grounds at Clifton Heritage Park. Sacred Space, with carved figures by Antonius Roberts and metal bells by Tyrone Ferguson, taps into deep historical and ancestral energies that visitors to the park have enjoyed for almost a decade.

Thank to a new collaboration between the two, however, a piece of Sacred Space has now been created in downtown Nassau. Last week, the Antonius Roberts Hillside House and Gallery held an unveiling of their new gate, designed by Tyrone Ferguson in the spirit of the pair’s earlier collaboration.

“Antonius took me to Hillside House one day way before the renovation started, and he said ‘Tyrone, I’m going to need your presence here’,” says Ferguson.

“It comes out of the relationship that Antonius and I have—anytime he’s doing something he thinks is significant he wants to have my involvement in it,” he continues. “When Antonius and I connect and we’re doing work like that, we don’t worry about cost—we just want the best expressions of our hearts, and that’s what you see in it, that’s what it is.”

Indeed the gate with its silhouettes made in the shape of the same slender figures carved by Antonius out of casuarina trunks gazing over the sea at Clifton—as well as Ferguson’s bells in the trees of Hillside house—invoke the same breathtaking energy of Sacred Space that invite viewers to reflect on and give thanks to the resilience of their ancestry.

Yet the gate not only serves the purpose of capturing that space—it serves to preserve it, says Ferguson.

“We knew that work wouldn’t last—termites would eat the wood out and the metalwork would be eroded by the saltwater—in fact on my last visit, the metalwork has almost been entirely reclaimed by the sea,” he says.

“We had conversations about how good it would be to preserve that space. As we talked at Hillside House that day, we felt we had an opportunity to bring that sacred space experience to the people.”

“In my sketches I saw his work and my work coming together from that sacred space in Clifton and being celebrated here in this very public place,” he continues. “I sent him pictures as it progressed and he was excited about it and I was excited myself, because the gate represents that spiritual journey of what was and what is and of possibility.”

Already visitors to the space and passersby have responded positively to the piece, says Ferguson. Indeed the gate creates a fitting introduction to the experience one feels when they visit the renovated Hillside House, inviting guests in to take part in moments of deep contemplation.

“I’ve always seen art as a vehicle that can bring people together in a transformative kind of way. Art has a way of creating spaces for introspection and for reflection,” says Ferguson.

“I would want people to leave feeling they are participating in a deep experience, that they connect with the energy. I think if work comes from the right place, it does that, touches on beauty and soul.”

Article By Sonia Farmer
The Nassau Guardian
Arts & Culture
Published: Saturday, March 31, 2012

Claudette Dean sitting atop her "Bahamian Sunflower" at Antonius Roberts Studio and Gallery at Hillside House. Photo: The Tribune

Presenting a diverse selection of mixed media pieces that included a life-size sunflower, an 8 by 8 paper box and a video installation, Bahamians showed that they can work in any and every art medium, during the recent Transforming Spaces art tour.

Taking on the theme of ‘Fibre,’ over 50 artists each brought their very own individuality and creativity to their art pieces.

Over the years, the tour has proven to be a great success, as artists and art lovers alike look forward to the yearly event.

Tribune Entertainment sat and spoke with a few of the talented participating artists to get the inside scoop on their contributions.

Standing next to her 8 by 8 mixed media piece “The Walls Are Closing In On Us” at the Pro Gallery, Veronica Dorsett said her aim was to create a captivating and sturdy environment using what could seemingly be called a fragile material, paper. She said she wanted to also create an environment where one must stop, clear their minds, and then feel.

Adding that this was her first time participating in the show, Veronica said it took her practically all semester to complete the piece. She built the whole structure from top to bottom entirely out of wood and paper.

“It was very difficult because installation took about five days. With my figures, you can’t see any of their faces, and there are cut outs with missing objects. These things might tell you a little about who they are, but they are not there, so it’s a play on, you want to know more about them, but you have to imagine,” said Veronica.

At Antonius Roberts’ Studio and Gallery at Hillside House artist Claudette Dean, was actually sitting on top of her art piece. Smiling and explaining a few details about her sprawling, mixed media Bahamian Sunflower, she said it was all made with coconut fiber, queen palm fruit pods and coconut fruit pods.

“As every one knows, sunflowers follow the sun and so my idea was to create a meditation seat that you can sit on top of to meditate. The original idea was to do a lotus because I have recently painted a lot of lotus flowers,” she said.

After gathering all of her materials, Claudette said her creation took approximately a month to complete. “It was a lot of physical work, but it was fun and it came together nicely. It’s getting a nice reaction, so I’m very pleased with it,” she said.

Adding a different look and feel to the art tour, artist Gio Swaby’s installation at the Hub gallery, “React,” was based on a video concept. She said the video installation focused on fibres found naturally on the human body, specifically the hair, skin and nails.

She said the videos on display depicted the involuntary reaction of the skin to a certain stimuli.

“Sometimes we think that we can sort of control how things affect us and we really can’t. And the screens are set up like this to show that every person has a different perspective of each situation,” said Gio.

In the video, some people caressed their body, showing show gentle reactions, while others scratched and slapped their skin, showing more aggressive movements.

“The nail biting is meant to show regret, like how we feel after we hurt someone. We mentally torture ourselves and this is meant to show like the physical mutilation,” said Gio.

Alesha Cadet
The Tribune
Arts Section
Published: Wednesday, March 28, 2012