Transforming Fallen Trees into Works of Art
By Antonius Roberts

Freeport, Grand Bahama Island - Bahamian artist, Antonius Roberts has embarked on a project to systematically remove and transform the remains of Casuarinas trees uprooted during the hurricane season of 2004, lining the shores of beautiful Taino Beach. These enormous trees have become barriers to the free flow of movement in certain sections of one of the most beautiful, natural beaches on the island of Grand Bahama.
 
Antonius has begun removing sections of these discarded trees and is transforming the pieces into sculptures honouring the spirit of the "Taino Indians", and is mounting these pieces in areas around Taino Beach.

Through this process, Roberts hopes to help restore the natural beauty of Taino beach and transform the immediate area into one of the largest sculptural parks made up of discarded objects in the region.
 
On Saturday, November 10, 2007, a group of Sunland High School Governor General Youth Award student members, under the supervision of Mrs. Lavender Roberts, joined Antonius in cleaning up the western area along Taino Beach. This group of students has pledged to adopt Taino Beach and conduct a monthly cleanup campaign.
 
Antonius Roberts extends an invitation to all special interest groups, individuals, artists, artisans and especially sculptors interested in working with discarded wood and stone to join him in this mission.

Artist and sculptor Antonius Roberts sits upon a tree that fell in the hurricanes of 2004. Sections of these discarded trees will be transformed into sculptures honouring the spirit of the Taino Indians and will be mounted in areas around Taino Beach, Grand Bahama Island. (Photo: Robbin Whachell)

Artist and sculptor Antonius Roberts stands on Taino Beach, Grand Bahama Island, where trees down from the hurricanes of 2004 are now being transformed into works of art to honour the Taino Indians that once lived on these same shores. (Photo: Robbin Whachell)

On Saturday, November 10, 2007, a group of Sunland High School Governor General Youth Award student members, under the supervision of Mrs. Lavender Roberts, joined Antonius in cleaning up the western area along Taino Beach, Grand Bahama Island. This group of students has pledged to adopt Taino Beach and conduct a monthly cleanup campaign. (Photo: Lavender Roberts)

The result of transforming tree debris. Three beautiful sculptures now adorn the entrance of the Junkanoo Club (previously Tranquility Shores) at Taino Beach, Grand Bahama Island. Roberts invites persons or groups interested to join in the project. (Photo: Robbin Whachell)