CENTRAL BANK
OF THE BAHAMAS
CULTURE INITIATIVES
Our Tradition:
Since 1984, the Central Bank stages an annual art competition and exhibition, through which it continues to uncover and showcase budding Bahamian talent in the visual arts. For many, this competition and exhibition has served as an introduction to the Bahamian art world, and the exposure received has been an invaluable first step in growing their gifts. Moreover, in staging this event, the Central Bank has enjoyed the distinct privilege of assisting young Bahamians in educational pursuits that have helped them to further develop their skills, and a number of them have gone on to very promising and successful professional careers in visual arts.
2025 OPEN CALL ART COMPETITION
2025/2026 Open Call Art Competition Awardees
Painting Award
Arianna Cochinamogulos for her piece “How Low?”
Sculpture Award
Jhanaisia Cole for her piece “All of This Mending”
Photography Award
Stephano Morley for his piece “My Life… In The Abyss 2: Find Me In The Chaos”
Drawing Award
Jhonson Davilma for his piece “Lessons in Low Light”
Work on Paper Award
Kachelle Knowles for her piece “Grammy Still Raised Me and Took Care”
Poetry Award
Ide Thompson for their piece “Get You A Fisherman Ta Break Dem Storm”
Animation Award
Antonio Rose for his animation “The Noise | A Minecraft Short Film”
Music Award
Charles Calma for his film score in “Gideon’s Return”
Concept Award
Dayna Pratt, Ava Richardson and Erin Pratt for their project “The Sugar Apple Tree”
Printmaking Award
Omar Richardson for his piece “Spiritual Flight”
Folklore Award
Beatrice Gould for her piece “B' Boukee, B' Rabbi - The Wedding Reception”
Honorable Mention (Poetry)
Terran Brice for their piece “Lynden F******g Pindling!”
Honorable Mention (Drawing)
Tenajae Ferguson for her piece “Golden Harvest”
Honorable Mention (Photography)
Allan Jones for his piece “Sun Dried”
Honorable Mention (Sculpture)
Tyesha Tynes for her piece “Strawberry and Miami Vice Daiquiris”
Honorable Mention (Folklore)
Kevin Ti-Paul for his piece “Harbour Island”
J. Andrew Knowles for his piece “You came to see the king of Andros”
Jury
Amanda Coulson (Curator, Former Executive Director NAGB, Nassau)
Ryan Knowles (Collector/Member of the Board of the Bahamian Venice Pavilion 2026)
Azi Jones (Princeton Scholar and Curator, Nassau/Kingston)
2024 OPEN CALL ART COMPETITION
2024 Open Call Art Competition Awardees
Painting Award
Alexandria Robinson for the painting “The Sound of Release”
Emerging Painter Award
Nelson Gray for the painting “The Fort”
Honorable Mention
Antika Adderley for the painting “Untitled”
Honorable Mention
Justin Moultrie for the painting “The Have and the Have nots”
Photography Award
Theo McClain for the photograph “The Rip”
Honorable Mention
Stephano Morley for the photograph “Find Me Somewhere Within The Sea, My Love”
Sculpture Award
Reagan Farrington for the sculpture “Somebody’s Baby”
Honorable Mention
Jhanaisia Cole for the sculpture “Red String”
Poetry Award
kevanté cash for the poem “spookin'/tawkin' sperrit”
Honorable Mention
Jervon Sands for the poem “Woman written by a boy”
Honorable Mention
Tanicia Pratt for the piece “You Hem Me In”
Film/Video Award
Shanaye Smith for the miniseries “Letters to the Isles”
Honorable Mention
Ashanti Marshall for the documentary “Chosen Paths”
Concept/Innovation Award
Ashleigh Rolle for the concept “Bahamian Citizenship Test”
Animation Award
Lamaro Smith for the animation “Front Porch”
Work on Paper Award
Dylan Miles for the piece “glaucoma reality c: the man-nature reality flayer”
Collage Award
Jonnique Beadle for the piece “Fewer and Farther Apart”
Honorable Mention
Veronica Dorsett for the piece “Best Before 08 / 2002”
Jury
Derek Rolle, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of The Bahamas
Anina Major (Artist, Nassau/New York)
Simone Cambridge (Curator, Nassau/Illinois)
2023 OPEN CALL
ART COMPETITION
2023 Open Call Art Competition Awardees
Categories:
Painting: ($ 2,000)
Deime Ubani
Photography ($ 2,000)
Delton Barrett
Film/Video ($ 2,000)
Reagan Kemp
Mixed Media Sculpture ($ 2,000)
Reagan Farrington
Poetry (1,500)
Terran Brice
Work on Paper ($ 1,500)
Nameless Dylan
Concept/ Innovation ($ 2,000 + Sponsorship of the production)
Kareem Willdream
Honorary Awards ($ 500)
Stephano Morley
Gabriel Turnquest
Joinel Jeune
Public’s Choice Award (Acquisition for the Central Bank Collection)
Kevin Rolle
Judges:
Jason Bennett (artist)
Amanda Coulson (curator)
Kendra Frorup (artist/ educator)
2022 OPEN CALL
ART COMPETITION
39. Open Call Competition 2022
1st Award: Suhayla Hepburn
(for the work "How to use your playing cards)
2nd Award: Khia Poitier
(for the painting "I wanted To Show You Something Beautiful")
3rd Award: Stephano Morley
(for the photo triptych "My Life...in the Abyss)
4th Award: Eddion Whyms
(the painting "Cantaloupe and Lemons")
5th Award: Kevanté Cash
(for the poem "ghetto enby prayer"
Special Recognition "Publication": Lamaro Smith
(for the publication: "The Artwork of Lamaro Smith"
Special Recognition "Photography": Melissa Alcena
(for the triptych "Diaspora Blues I + II)
Special Recognition "Time based media": Jeremie Johnson
(for the animated poem "Grief"
Special Recognition "Public Art": Wedlear Eugene
( for the mural on Lewis and Comfort Street)
Special Recognition "Music": Sherwood Rahming
(for the original song "Obeah with me")
Special Recognition "Painting": Amaani Hepburn
(for the painting "we can sit here by the poolside")
Judges: Tiera Ndlovu // Jeffrey Meris // Dr. Douglas Barkey
2022 OPEN CALL
COMPETITION
AND
EXHIBITION
39. Open Call Competition 2022
1st Award: Suhayla Hepburn
(for the work "How to use your playing cards)
2nd Award: Khia Poitier
(for the painting "I wanted To Show You Something Beautiful")
3rd Award: Stephano Morley
(for the photo triptych "My Life...in the Abyss)
4th Award: Eddion Whyms
(the painting "Cantaloupe and Lemons")
5th Award: Kevanté Cash
(for the poem "ghetto enby prayer"
Special Recognition "Publication": Lamaro Smith
(for the publication: "The Artwork of Lamaro Smith"
Special Recognition "Photography": Melissa Alcena
(for the triptych "Diaspora Blues I + II)
Special Recognition "Time based media": Jeremie Johnson
(for the animated poem "Grief"
Special Recognition "Public Art": Wedlear Eugene
( for the mural on Lewis and Comfort Street)
Special Recognition "Music": Sherwood Rahming
(for the original song "Obeah with me")
Special Recognition "Painting": Amaani Hepburn
(for the painting "we can sit here by the poolside")
2021 OPEN CALL
COMPETITION
AND
EXHIBITION
RESULTS
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2020
COMPETITION
INVITE & THEME
COMPETITION
CLOSED
38. Open Call Competition & Online Exhibition (2021)
1st Award: Streetlight Studios
(Animation Trailer for "Nassau Rock")
2nd Award: Leanne Russell
(Photo Installation "Unpacking: In Situ")
3rd Award: Keith Thompson
(Painting "BLM 7")
4th Award: Turnschuh Analogfotokollektiv
(Photobook Publication "Vol.1")
Honorable Mention: Foreign Sound
(Original Song and Music Video "The End")
Honorable Mention: Maelynn Seymoure-Major
(Poem "Breathe his Name")
Honorable Mention: Ivanna Gaitor
(Photography and Performance "Tarp II")
Honorable Mention: Bernard Petit-Homme
( Screenscript "Elsewhere Now")
Honorable Mention: Ernest Pratt
(Drawing Triptych "The work of her hands")
Special Recognition: Shanaye Smith
(Documentary "Is Everything Okay?")
37. Open Category Competition & Online Exhibition (2020)
1st Place: Abby Smith
(for Stapledon School Mural)
2nd Place: Lillian Blades/ Jenna Chaplin
(for Masons Addition Stairs)
3rd Place: DLevar Adams
(for Saxon Memorial Mural)
Honorable Mention: June Collie
(for East Bay Street Mural)
Honorable Mention: Ruthjeana Johnson
(for Reinhard Hotel Mural)
Honorable Mention: Preston Hanna
(for Clifton Heritage Park Mural)
Photo Award: Jamie Bruce
(for East Street Billboards)
Film Award: Reagan Farrington
(for Princess Margarete Hospital Projection)
Sculpture Award: Carlos Bain
(for "Two sides of a coin")
Family Island Special Recognition:
Andros: Jenae Edwards
(for Queen's Park Mural, Fresh Creek)
Abaco: Monika Cunningham
(for Old Bakery Mural, Marsh Harbour)
Eleuthera: Jerreth Albury
(for Lower Bogue Mural)
Grand Bahama: Denzel Lightbourne
(for the "Pantry Pride Foodstore" Mural)
Judges:
Artists Angelika Wallace-Whitfield, Allan Pachino Wallace
and Ulrich Voges, Curator of the Central Bank
Past prize winners of these competitions include:
36th Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2019)
1st Place: Averia Wright
2nd Place: Wedlear Eugene
Scholarship and 2020 Solo exhibition: Alistair Stevenson
Honorable Mention: Christina Wong, Angelika Wallace-Whitfield and Devin Levar Adams
Judges: Antonius Roberts, D.C. Pratt and Lauren Holowesko
35th Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2018)
1st Place: Richardo Barrett for "The Dragon and Flamingo, Who's Da Boss?"
Honorable Mention: Samantha Treco for "Census 1600" and Giovanna Swaby for "Going Out Clothes"
Scholarship: Jeffrey Meris for "Now You See Me"
Judges: John Cox, Natascha Vasquez, Tessa Whitehead, Ava Turnquest, Shannika Swann and Heino Schmid
34th Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2017)
1st Place: Ryan Turnquest
Staff Choice: Minolta Butler
Judges: Katrina Cartwright, Torrell Glinton and Ava Turnquest
33rd Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2016)
1st Place: Jordanna Kelly
Judges: Lawrence Bascom, Heino Schmid, Darchell Henderson and Richardo Barrett
32nd Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2015)
1st Place: Edrin Symonette
Honorable Mention: Sonia Farmer, Andrew Weech
Scholarship Recipient: Edrin Symonette
Judges: Holly Bynoe, Tessa Whitehead and John Cox
31st Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2014)
1st Place: Jace McKinney for "See is for Columbus' a Fairytale by Washington Irving"
Honorable Mention: Julius Tinker for "Tinker and Kervanna Hall for "Puzzle Peace"
Judges: Pamela Burnside, Jessica Maycock-Burnside, Dorman Stubbs, Heino Schmid, Derek Rolle, Derek Paul and Stacey Benjamin
30th Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2013)
1st Place: Jeffrey Meris for "Dis We Tea Party"
Judges: Stacey Benjamin, Pamela Burnside, Jessica Colebrook, Derek Paul, Derek Rolle, Heino Schmid and Dorman Stubbs
29th Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2012)
1st Place: Jace McKinney for "Where Has He Been? Where is He Going?"
Judges:
28th Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2011)
1st Place: Jackson Petit for "Beautiful Monsters"
Judges: Dr. Vaughn Conliff, Vaughn Roberts and Sonia Farmer
27th Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2010)
1st Place: Omar Richardson
Judges: Wayne J. Aranha, Jonathan Murray, Vaughn Roberts and Saskia D'Aguliar
26th Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2009)
1st Place: Lavar Munroe
Judges: Dawn Davies, Erica James and Jay Koment
25th Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2008)
1st Prize: Danielle Brown for "Portrait of Kendal"
2nd Prize: Jackson Petit for "Rocky N' Fly"
3rd Prize: Michael Simms for "Ole Time Market"
Honorable Mention: Marie Jeanne Dupuch for "Nest", Lemero Wight for "Boom Boom Boom", Richardo Barrett for "Old Time Market"
Honorable Mention: Genele Delancy
Scholarship Recipients: Preston Hanna and Walter Evans
Governor’s Choice Award: Charlton Strachan
3D Category:
1st Prize: Keisha Oliver
2nd Prize: Mardia Powell
3rd Prize: Deime Ubani
Honorable Mention: Genele Delancy
Judges: John Paul Saddleton, Eleanor Whitely, Toby Lunn and Michael Edwards
24th Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2007)
1st Prize: Omar Richardson for "Untitled Cuts"
2nd Prize: Edrin Symonette for "Untitled"
3rd Prize: Damaso Gray for "Gaged II"
Honorable Mention: Keisha Oliver for "Dockin' at Nassau Marina", Lemero Wright for "Musiq", Heide Pluntke for "Hidden Letter 'H'"
Scholarship Recipient: Omar Richardson
3D Category:
Mardia Powell
Judges: Nicolette Bethel, Pamela Burnside, John Cox, Blue Curry and Gregory Cleare
23rd Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2006)
1st Prize: Bernard Petit for "Mother Nature"
2nd Prize: Lavar Munroe for "Free Yourself"
3rd Prize: Jackson Petit for "Red Head"
Honorable Mention: Lemero Wright for "All Bubby Up", Erica Seymour for "Tom Boy" and Dandria Bethel for "Unattached"
Scholarship Recipient: Jonathan Murray
3D Category:
1st Prize: Nikoan Johnson for "Junkanoo Me"
2nd Prize: Ryan Turnquest for "Bloom"
3rd Prize: Tina Maycock for "Sting Ray"
Governor’s Choice Award: Erica Seymour
Judges: Celeste Mitchell, Warren Rolle, Holly Parotti, Clive Stuart and Jackson Burnside
22th Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2005)
1st Prize: Lavar Munroe for "Foot Prints"
2nd Prize: Lemero Wright for "Continuous"
3rd Prize: Elkino Dames for "Beauty in My Eyes"
Honorable Mention: Dandreia Bethel for "Future" and Damaso Gray for "Deep Thought"
Governor’s Choice Award: Abby Smith for "Reflection of a Sinner"
Scholarship Recipients: Elkino Dames and Keisha Oliver
3D Category:
1st Prize: Lavar Munroe
2nd Prize: Torinda A. Francis
Judges:
21st Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2004)
1st Prize: Kishan Munroe
2nd Prize: Elkino Dames
3rd Prize: Lavar Munroe
Honorable Mention: Erica Seymour, Damaso Gray and Collison Ingraham
Scholarship Recipient: Erica Seymour and Lavar Munroe
3D Category:
1st Prize: Tina Maycock
Governor’s Choice Award: Kishan Munroe
Judges: Ian Strachan, Ian Fernander, Anthony Jervis, Pandora Johnson and Erica Wells-Cox
20th Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2003)
1st Prize: Lavar Munroe
2nd Prize: Jackson Petit
3rd Prize: Shakila Stubbs
Honourable Mention: Omar Richardson, Carlington Evans, and Elkino Dames
Scholarship Recipients: Shakila Stubbs, Lavar Munroe
Governor’s Choice Award: Ryan Turnquest
3D Category: Jackson Petit
Judges: Malcom Rae, Erica James, Camille Barnette, Dionne Benjamin, Stanley Burnside, Campbell Cleare and Shelley Kelly
19th Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2002)
1st Prize: Allan P. Wallace for "My Name is Harmony"
2nd Prize: Keisha Oliver for "Clarity"
3rd Prize: Lavar Munroe for "From Da Market"
Honorable Mention: Dario McPhee for "Junkanoo in the Beginning", Bernard Petit for "Playing Favorites" and Jackson Petit for "Each Other"
Scholarship recipients: Lavar Munroe and Keisha Oliver
3D Open Category:
1st Prize: Tamara Russell for "Two Born"
2nd Prize: Katrina Cartwright for "In the Round"
Judges:
18th Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2001)
1st Prize: Johnathan Bethel for "The Straw Market"
2nd Prize: Jackson Petit for "Days of Bondage"
3rd Prize: Italia Williams for "From a Distance"
Honorable Mention: Lamaro Wright for "Strange People", Danielle Brown for "Flamboyant Floats" and Latisha Knowles for "Be Proud Bahamian"
Scholarship Recipient: Jackson Petit
3D Open Category:
1st Prize: Tamara Russell for "Under the Sea"
2nd Prize: Katrina Cartwright for "Untitled"
Judges: James Whitehead, Nicki Kelly, H. Campbell Cleare, Sandra Ellingsworth and Patricia Rodgers
17th Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2000)
1st Prize: Rickeno Bullard
2nd Prize: Christophe Thompson
3rd Prize: Italia Williams
Honourable Mention: Tamara Russell, Holston Bain and Lamaro Wright
Scholarship Recipient: Garth Phillipi
Judges:
16th Open Category Competition & Exhibition (1999)
1st Prize: Kishan Munroe
2nd Prize: Tavares Strachan
3rd Prize: Holston Bain
Honorable Mention: David Hanna, Neville Rolle and Rembrandt Taylor
Scholarship Recipient: Kishan Munroe
Judges:
15th Open Category Competition & Exhibition (1998)
1st Prize: Myriam Campbell
2nd Prize: Hasheen Lockhart
3rd Prize: Holston Bain
Honorable Mention: Trevor Tucker and Blue Curry
Scholarship Recipients: Myriam Campbell and Hasheen Lockhart
Judges: