Dacel Lee Lapastora, Azaria Wilson and A. Kristin-Grace Braynen are the top three winners of the "Our Ocean, Our Future" student art contest which brought awareness to ocean conservation.
Dacel, 18, was selected as the first-place winner and won a Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) certification course from the Perry Institute for Marine Science.
A student at New Providence Classical School, Dacel's piece, which she titled "Keeping Our Cean Clean", said the ocean is a gift from God and that people should do all they can to preserve the blessing.
"This artwork portrays the beauty of the ocean, if all individuals join in unity in cleaning it. It shows how rhapsodic our ocean is without the filth layered on the top of it. Futhermore, in keeping our ocean clean, we give aid to our marine animals to have a better and filth-free life," said Dacel.
Azaria Wilson, 14, was second with her piece, titled, "Surviving Today, Thriving Tomorrow". She received passes to Blue Lagoon Island for an immersive Dolphin Encounter.
Azaria Wilson, 14, was second with her piece, titled, "Surviving Today, Thriving Tomorrow".
Third place went to A. Kristin-Grace Braynen, 17, whose piece, titled, "Jellyfish Dress", won passes to Baha Bay at Baha Mar.
The winners also received a certificate of appreciation for their participation and a stuffed ocean friend provided by Island Inspired to remind them of the importance of ocean life and their existence in our ecosystem.
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA) launched the art contest to bring awareness to ocean conservation.
The student art contest is a part of the Hidden World's "Our Ocean, Our Future Immersive Experience" exhibit that will be on display in Miami, Florida, at the Ampersand Studios in Wynwood, Miami's famous art district, through March 4.
All 10 finalists will have their artwork displayed throughout the course of the exhibit. The other contestants who will be featured at the event include Alicia Adderley, Hannah Edomwonyi, Nia-Ishia Prince, Omari Stewart, Faith Miller, Naima Nixon, and Sunae Adderley.
Hidden Worlds' educational and entertaining marine journey-show will feature multi-room art displays highlighting ocean conservation efforts in The Bahamas. The exhibit aims to captivate guests by engaging all five senses through immersive art displays, featuring curated artwork from Bahamian artisans Angelika Wallace-Whitfield and André Musgrove.
Latia Duncombe, tourism director general, congratulated participants for their bravery and innovative creations.
"It was such a pleasure to see the interpretations of so many talented young Bahamians and their passion for ocean conservation," said Duncombe. "This is just the beginning of our continued efforts to grow and development our tourism product, with a keen focus on planet stewardship and the preservation of our beautiful 16-island destinations for future generations."
The opening featured a dinner experience of ocean-positive dishes by Bahamian chef Kevyn Pratt and ocean-themed beverages by mixologist Marv "Mr. Mix" Cunningham.
A percentage of ticket sales from the exhibit will benefit Beneath the Waves, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting ocean health using science and technology to catalyze ocean policy and protect threatened species - including their Blue Carbon Project and Shark Tagging efforts in The Bahamas.
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