The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus will launch its newest initiative that combines Caribbean art with environmental advocacy focused on ocean conservation and the blue economy.
“Voices of the Ocean: Art Walk”, a collaboration with several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) will feature four large-scale sculptures and one mural installed across the campus’ grounds.
Each artwork will incorporate reclaimed coastal materials including ocean plastics, glass and fishing line.
The initiative aims to highlight marine conservation while highlighting opportunities in the blue economy — sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth.
Principal of The UWI Five Islands Campus, Professor C. Justin Robinson said the art walk reflects the campus’ commitment to combining education with community engagement on critical environmental issues affecting the region.
“ As the campus expands our focus on the blue economy as well as addressing the challenges of climate change, we see this project as a way of bringing these concepts to the community in an engaging way with our partners.
The sculptures will be created through partnerships with local environmental organizations, including the Antigua and Barbuda Environment Foundation, Environmental Awareness Group, Elkhorn Marine Conservancy, Antigua and Barbuda Ocean Trust, Good Humans 268 and the Barbuda Council.
Renee Cooper, the project’s conceptual lead and a climate advocate, noted the importance of the ocean to our islands and the region.
“The ocean is not only central to our identity but also to our future,” she said.
“The Blue Economy represents one of the greatest opportunities for Antigua & Barbuda and the wider Caribbean.”
Cooper said the project demonstrates how environmental protection intersects with cultural and economic development in the Caribbean.
“Through Voices of the Ocean, we are transforming that opportunity into something visible and lasting — art that speaks to who we are, how we live with the sea, and how innovation can drive resilience,” she said.
Each participating organization will collaborate with artists to ensure the sculptures reflect their conservation missions, organizers said. The trail will be free and open to the public.
The Five Islands Campus will make the art walk accessible to both students and community members.
The project is currently seeking Caribbean sculptors to submit proposals for the four sculptures. They also are Inviting corporate sponsors to “adopt” individual artworks.
The initiative represents part of The UWI Five Islands’ broader sustainability and community engagement efforts. Additional partners and sponsors will be announced in coming weeks.
More information about artist submissions and sponsorship opportunities is available through the Project Lead.
About Voices of the Ocean: Art Walk
- Project Lead & Creative Direction: Renee Cooper
- Presented by: The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus
- Partners: Antigua and Barbuda Environment Foundation, Environmental Awareness Group, Elkhorn Marine Conservancy, Antigua and Barbuda Ocean Trust, and Good Humans 268
The Voices of the Ocean: Art Walk will serve as a lasting cultural attraction and a symbol of the Caribbean’s leadership in the Blue Economy; inspiring residents, students, and visitors to celebrate and protect the sea that sustains us all.
For more information, to submit a concept, or to sponsor a sculpture, please contact the Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy or contact: Email [email protected] or [email protected] | Phone 268-484-3900 ext 303
About The UWI Five Islands
The UWI Five Islands, established in 2019 as the fifth campus of The University of the West Indies, represents a significant milestone in Caribbean higher education. Located in the beautiful twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, this dynamic institution brings world-class education to the heart of the Caribbean.
As part of The University of the West Indies system, which has been consistently ranked among the best universities in the world by the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE), The UWI Five Islands upholds the same standards of academic excellence that have made The UWI a beacon of educational achievement in the region.
The campus offers a comprehensive range of 40 degree programs spanning both undergraduate and postgraduate levels across four distinguished schools: School of Humanities and Education, School of Business and Management, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, School of Science, Computing and Artificial Intelligence.
Beyond traditional degree programs, The UWI Five Islands is committed to lifelong learning through its Lifelong Learning Unit, which offers short professional development courses designed to meet the evolving needs of working professionals and the broader community.
The campus is also proud to house The Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy (COBE), reflecting the institution’s commitment to marine science research and sustainable ocean-based economic development—critical areas for Caribbean nations.
Learn more at www.fiveislands.uwi.edu
(Please note that the proper name of the university is The University of the West Indies, inclusive of the “The”, hence The UWI.)
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