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HG Christie & CAB Gallery crown winners of ‘This Island of Mine’ Art Competition

Mon, Jan 30th 2023, 09:53 AM
About Bahamians

A trio of talented Bahamian artists have won cash, bragging rights, and other prizes thanks to HG Christie. Widely regarded for its commitment to supporting and highlighting Bahamian talent outside the real estate industry, the country’s oldest and largest real estate firm teamed up with the CAB gallery to provide the opportunity for budding artists to showcase their talents and their patriotism as part of its ‘This Island of Mine’ campaign.  

The theme, which was chosen as an ode to the islands, gave each artist the opportunity to share with the country and the world the things they appreciate and cherish most about the island they chose. 

Submissions were collected between August 22 to November 18. To be considered, participating artists were required to tag both @HGChristie and @CabGalleryandStudio while using the hashtag #HGCIslandofMine. The works were then reviewed by an esteemed panel of judges comprised of members of both HG Christie and CAB Gallery curators.

“We were so impressed with the quality of the work that was submitted,” explained CAB Gallery Founder Natascha Vasquez, “I’ve always believed that local artists have a wealth of artistic talent that deserves to be showcased on both the national and international stage,” she said. 

When the judging was complete Samantha Sawyer was chosen as the overall winner and recipient of the thousand-dollar cash prize. Her piece entitled ‘Abaco Arise’ was created to inspire hope after hurricane Dorian. The 18x4 acrylic features Abaco iconography, including the Hopetown lighthouse as a “light of hope” on the headpiece. “This piece holds a special place in my heart because of the life it holds despite that difficult time,” she said. 

Sawyer’s cash prize meantime will do much more than purchase new art supplies, 10 percent  of her winnings will be donated to the Breast Cancer Society in honour of her grand mother.

“My Grandmother actually worked in HGC’s Marsh Harbour office and so it was fitting to me that I make a donation in her name,” she explained.

Taking the second place spot was Faith Francis who received a framed Limited Edition Jessica Whittingham piece for her depiction of scenes from the Hope Town Regatta. “I was inspired by the natural beauty of Abaco,” the 16-year-old artist noted. “I especially wanted to highlight regatta time because it’s such a special time in  Abaco.”

Rounding out the third-place spot was Maria Diamantis whose piece earned her studio time credit at CAB Gallery to create her next masterpiece.

The social media competition was the brainchild of HGC President and Managing Broker John Christie and coincided with the company’s year-long centennial celebrations. “As the top real estate company in The Bahamas, and Christie's International Affiliate for over 25 years, we wanted to focus on art, youth, and culture” he explained. “Being the first time we have ever done something of this nature, I was particularly and pleasantly surprised. I think the winners represent the level of talent our community has to offer."  

 

A trio of talented Bahamian artists have won cash, bragging rights, and other prizes thanks to HG Christie. Widely regarded for its commitment to supporting and highlighting Bahamian talent outside the real estate industry, the country’s oldest and largest real estate firm teamed up with the CAB gallery to provide the opportunity for budding artists to showcase their talents and their patriotism as part of its ‘This Island of Mine’ campaign.  
The theme, which was chosen as an ode to the islands, gave each artist the opportunity to share with the country and the world the things they appreciate and cherish most about the island they chose. 
Submissions were collected between August 22 to November 18. To be considered, participating artists were required to tag both @HGChristie and @CabGalleryandStudio while using the hashtag #HGCIslandofMine. The works were then reviewed by an esteemed panel of judges comprised of members of both HG Christie and CAB Gallery curators.
“We were so impressed with the quality of the work that was submitted,” explained CAB Gallery Founder Natascha Vasquez, “I’ve always believed that local artists have a wealth of artistic talent that deserves to be showcased on both the national and international stage,” she said. 
When the judging was complete Samantha Sawyer was chosen as the overall winner and recipient of the thousand-dollar cash prize. Her piece entitled ‘Abaco Arise’ was created to inspire hope after hurricane Dorian. The 18x4 acrylic features Abaco iconography, including the Hopetown lighthouse as a “light of hope” on the headpiece. “This piece holds a special place in my heart because of the life it holds despite that difficult time,” she said. 
Sawyer’s cash prize meantime will do much more than purchase new art supplies, 10 percent  of her winnings will be donated to the Breast Cancer Society in honour of her grand mother.
“My Grandmother actually worked in HGC’s Marsh Harbour office and so it was fitting to me that I make a donation in her name,” she explained.
Taking the second place spot was Faith Francis who received a framed Limited Edition Jessica Whittingham piece for her depiction of scenes from the Hope Town Regatta. “I was inspired by the natural beauty of Abaco,” the 16-year-old artist noted. “I especially wanted to highlight regatta time because it’s such a special time in  Abaco.”
 Rounding out the third-place spot was Maria Diamantis whose piece earned her studio time credit at CAB Gallery to create her next masterpiece.
The social media competition was the brainchild of HGC President and Managing Broker John Christie and coincided with the company’s year-long centennial celebrations. “As the top real estate company in The Bahamas, and Christie's International Affiliate for over 25 years, we wanted to focus on art, youth, and culture” he explained. “Being the first time we have ever done something of this nature, I was particularly and pleasantly surprised. I think the winners represent the level of talent our community has to offer."  
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