CENTRAL BANK OF THE BAHAMAS
CULTURE INITIATIVES
2024 OPEN CALL ART COMPETITION
The Central Bank of The Bahamas warmly invites the Bahamian creative community to participate in the 41st Annual Open Call Art Competition. For over four decades, this competition has been a cornerstone in our nation’s cultural landscape, dedicated to nurturing and showcasing the exceptional talent of Bahamian artists.
We encourage all submitters to put their best foot forward, channeling the same spirit of excellence that has defined this competition for the past 40 years.
Submit here.
2023 OPEN CALL
ART
COMPETITION
Theme: RAIN
As far as we can see, we are surrounded by water. Water is the endless horizon bounding each of our islands and cays. But the kind of water we wait for, long for and need to sustain life comes in the form of RAIN.
RAIN WATER is necessary to create PLANT LIFE. As groundwater it is essential for NOURISHMENT, HYDRATION and also for HYGIENE. It is used by amphibians and insects for REPRODUCTION but at the same time it can be the source for waterborne ILLNESSES. It is indispensable for human and animal SURVIVAL and yet it can come in FLOODS and NATURAL DISASTERS, bringing not life but DEATH.
Throughout time, the list of RAIN deities is long and they touch us through the manifold religions and mythologies known to us.
Without RAIN there is no life.
For the 40th Anniversary Open Call we would like to dedicate the competition to this essential part of our world.
Like in the past competitions, we invite visual artists, musicians, poets, sculptors, film makers, designers, animators, digital media artists and other inventive souls to present and surprise with their ideas and creations regarding the 2023 theme: RAIN.
40. Open Call Competition 2023
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
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")
Judges: Tiera Ndlovu // Jeffrey Meris // Dr. Douglas Barkey
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.
2021 OPEN CALL
COMPETITION
AND
EXHIBITION
RESULTS
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You will be redirected to ArtSteps.com after a few seconds.
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?")
Judges: Averia Wright // Drew Weech // Dr. Douglas Barkey
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: Angelika Wallace-Whitfield // Allan Pachino Wallace // Ulrich Voges
36. 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, Devin Levar Adams
Judges: Antonius Roberts // D.C. Pratt // Lauren Holowesko
35. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2018)
1st Place: Richardo Barrett
Honorable Mention: Samantha Treco, Giovanna Swaby
Scholarship: Jeffrey Meris
Judges: John Cox // Natascha Vasquez // Tessa Whitehead// Ava Turnquest // Shannika Swann // Heino Schmid
34. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2017)
1st Place: Ryan Turnquest
Staff Choice: Minolta Butler
Judges: Katrina Cartwright // Torrell Glinton // Ava Turnquest
33. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2016)
1st Place: Jordanna Kelly
Judges: Lawrence Bascom // Heino Schmid // Darchell Henderson // Richardo Barrett
32. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2015)
1st Place: Edrin Symonette
Honorable Mention: Sonia Farmer, Andrew Weech
Scholarship Recipient: Edrin Symonette
Judges: Holly Bynoe // Tessa Whitehead // John Cox
31. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2014)
1st Place: Jace McKinney
Honorable Mention: Julius Tinker, Kevanna Hall
Judges: Pamela Burnside // Jessica Maycock-Burnside // Dorman Stubbs // Heino Schmid // Derek Rolle // Derek Paul // Stacey Benjamin
30. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2013)
1st Place: Jeffrey Meris
Judges: Stacey Benjamin // Pamela Burnside // Jessica Colebrook // Derek Paul // Derek Rolle // Heino Schmid // Dorman Stubbs
29. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2012)
1st Place: Jace McKinney
Judges:
28. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2011)
1st Place: Jackson Petit
Judges: Dr. Vaughn Conliff // Vaughn Roberts // Sonia Farmer
27. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2010)
1st Place: Omar Richardson
Judges: Wayne J. Aranha // Jonathan Murray // Vaughn Roberts // Saskia d'Aguliar
26. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2009)
1st Place: Lavar Munroe
Judges:
25. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2008)
1st Prize: Danielle Brown
2nd Prize: Jackson Petit
3rd Prize: Michael Simms
Honorable Mention: Marie Jeanne Dupuch, Lemero Wight, Richardo Barrett
3D-Award: Keisha Oliver, Mardia Powell, Deime Ubani
Honorable Mention: Genele Delancy
Governor’s Choice Award: Charlton Strachan
Judges:
24. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2007)
1st Prize: Omar Richardson
2nd Prize: Edrin Symonette
3rd Prize: Damaso Gray
Honorable Mention: Keisha Oliver, Lemero Wright, Heide Pluntke
Scholarship Recipient: Omar Richardson
Judges:
23. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2006)
1st Prize: Bernard Petit
2nd Prize: Lavar Munroe
3rd Prize: Jackson Petit
Honorable Mention: Lemero Wright, Erica Seymour, Dandria Bethel
Scholarship Recipient: Jonathan Murray
3D-Category:
1st Prize: Nikoan Johnson
2nd Prize: Ryan Turnquest
3rd Prize: Tina Maycock
Governor’s Choice Award: Erica Seymour
Judges:
22. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2005)
1st Prize: Lavar Munroe
2nd Prize: Lemero Wright
3rd Prize: Elkino Dames
Honorable Mention: Dandreia Bethel, Damaso Gray
Scholarship Recipient: Elkino Dames, Kisha Oliver
3D-Category:
1st Prize: Lavar Munroe
2nd Prize: Torinda A. Francis
Governor’s Choice Award: Abby Smith
Judges:
21. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2004)
1st Prize: Kishan Munroe
2nd Prize: Elkino Dames
3rd Prize: Lavar Munroe
Honorable Mention: Erica Seymour, Damaso Gray, Collison Ingraham
Scholarship Recipient: Erica Seymour, Lavar Munroe
3D Category:
1st Prize: Tina Maycock
Governor’s Choice Award: Kishan Munroe
Judges:
20. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2003)
1st Prize: Lavar Munroe
2nd Prize: Jackson Petit
3rd Prize: Shakila Stubbs
Honourable Mention: Omar Richardson, Carlington Evans, Elkino Dames
Scholarship Recipients: Shakila Stubbs, Lavar Munroe
Governor’s Choice Award: Ryan Turnquest
3D Category: Jackson Petit
Judges:
19. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2002)
1st Prize: Allan P. Wallace
2nd Prize: Keisha Oliver
3rd Prize: Lavar Munroe
Honorable Mention: Dario McPhee, Bernard Petit, Jackson Petit
Scholarship recipients: Lavar Munroe, Keisha Oliver.
3D Open Category:
1st Prize: Tamara Russell
2nd Prize: Katrina Cartwright
Judges:
18. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2001)
1st Prize: Johnathon Bethel
2nd Prize: Jackson Petit
3rd Prize: Italia Williams
Honorable Mention: Lamaro Wright, Danielle Brown, Latisha Knowles
Scholarship Recipient: Jackson Petit
3D Open Category:
1st Prize: Tamara Russell
2nd Prize: Katrina Cartwright
Judges:
17. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2000)
1st Prize: Rickeno Bullard
2nd Prize: Christophe Thompson
3rd Prize: Italia Williams
Honourable Mention: Tamara Russell, Holston Bain, Lamaro Wright
Scholarship Recipient: Garth Phillipi
Judges:
16. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (1999)
1st Prize: Kishan Munroe
2nd Prize: Tavares Strachan
3rd Prize: Holston Bain
Honorable Mention: David Hanna, Neville Rolle, Rembrandt Taylor
Scholarship Recipient: Kishan Munroe.
Judges:
16. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (1998)
1st Prize: Myriam Campbell
2nd Prize: Hasheen Lockhart
3rd Prize: Holston Bain
Honorable Mention: Trevor Tucker, Blue Curry.
Scholarship Recipients: Myriam Campbell, Hasheen Lockhart.
Judges:
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")
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.
2021 OPEN CALL
COMPETITION
AND
EXHIBITION
RESULTS
You will be redirected to ArtSteps.com after a few seconds.
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:
36. 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, Devin Levar Adams
Judges: Antonius Roberts // D.C. Pratt // Lauren Holowesko
35. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2018)
1st Place: Richardo Barrett
Honorable Mention: Samantha Treco, Giovanna Swaby
Scholarship: Jeffrey Meris
Judges: John Cox // Natascha Vasquez // Tessa Whitehead// Ava Turnquest // Shannika Swann // Heino Schmid
34. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2017)
1st Place: Ryan Turnquest
Staff Choice: Minolta Butler
Judges: Katrina Cartwright // Torrell Glinton // Ava Turnquest
33. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2016)
1st Place: Jordanna Kelly
Judges: Lawrence Bascom // Heino Schmid // Darchell Henderson // Richardo Barrett
32. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2015)
1st Place: Edrin Symonette
Honorable Mention: Sonia Farmer, Andrew Weech
Scholarship Recipient: Edrin Symonette
Judges: Holly Bynoe // Tessa Whitehead // John Cox
31. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2014)
1st Place: Jace McKinney
Honorable Mention: Julius Tinker, Kevanna Hall
Judges: Pamela Burnside// Jessica Maycock-Burnside// Dorman Stubbs// Heino Schmid// Derek Rolle// Derek Paul// Stacey Benjamin
30. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2013)
1st Place: Jeffrey Meris
Judges: Stacey Benjamin // Pamela Burnside // Jessica Colebrook // Derek Paul // Derek Rolle // Heino Schmid // Dorman Stubbs
29. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2012)
1st Place: Jace McKinney
Judges:
28. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2011)
1st Place: Jackson Petit
Judges: Dr. Vaughn Conliff // Vaughn Roberts // Sonia Farmer
27. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2010)
1st Place: Omar Richardson
Judges: Wayne J. Aranha // Jonathan Murray // Vaughn Roberts // Saskia d'Aguliar
26. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2009)
1st Place: Lavar Munroe
Judges:
25. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2008)
1st Prize: Danielle Brown
2nd Prize: Jackson Petit
3rd Prize: Michael Simms
Honorable Mention: Marie Jeanne Dupuch, Lemero Wight, Richardo Barrett
3D-Award: Keisha Oliver, Mardia Powell, Deime Ubani
Honorable Mention: Genele Delancy
Governor’s Choice Award: Charlton Strachan
Judges:
24. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2007)
1st Prize: Omar Richardson
2nd Prize: Edrin Symonette
3rd Prize: Damaso Gray
Honorable Mention: Keisha Oliver, Lemero Wright, Heide Pluntke
Scholarship Recipient: Omar Richardson
Judges:
23. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2006)
1st Prize: Bernard Petit
2nd Prize: Lavar Munroe
3rd Prize: Jackson Petit
Honorable Mention: Lemero Wright, Erica Seymour, Dandria Bethel
Scholarship Recipient: Jonathan Murray
3D-Category:
1st Prize: Nikoan Johnson
2nd Prize: Ryan Turnquest
3rd Prize: Tina Maycock
Governor’s Choice Award: Erica Seymour
Judges:
22. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2005)
1st Prize: Lavar Munroe
2nd Prize: Lemero Wright
3rd Prize: Elkino Dames
Honorable Mention: Dandreia Bethel, Damaso Gray
Scholarship Recipient: Elkino Dames, Kisha Oliver
3D-Category:
1st Prize: Lavar Munroe
2nd Prize: Torinda A. Francis
Governor’s Choice Award: Abby Smith
Judges:
21. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2004)
1st Prize: Kishan Munroe
2nd Prize: Elkino Dames
3rd Prize: Lavar Munroe
Honorable Mention: Erica Seymour, Damaso Gray, Collison Ingraham
Scholarship Recipient: Erica Seymour, Lavar Munroe
3D Category:
1st Prize: Tina Maycock
Governor’s Choice Award: Kishan Munroe
Judges:
20. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2003)
1st Prize: Lavar Munroe
2nd Prize: Jackson Petit
3rd Prize: Shakila Stubbs
Honourable Mention: Omar Richardson, Carlington Evans, Elkino Dames
Scholarship Recipients: Shakila Stubbs, Lavar Munroe
Governor’s Choice Award: Ryan Turnquest
3D Category: Jackson Petit
Judges:
19. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2002)
1st Prize: Allan P. Wallace
2nd Prize: Keisha Oliver
3rd Prize: Lavar Munroe
Honorable Mention: Dario McPhee, Bernard Petit, Jackson Petit
Scholarship recipients: Lavar Munroe, Keisha Oliver.
3D Open Category:
1st Prize: Tamara Russell
2nd Prize: Katrina Cartwright
Judges:
18. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2001)
1st Prize: Johnathon Bethel
2nd Prize: Jackson Petit
3rd Prize: Italia Williams
Honorable Mention: Lamaro Wright, Danielle Brown, Latisha Knowles
Scholarship Recipient: Jackson Petit
3D Open Category:
1st Prize: Tamara Russell
2nd Prize: Katrina Cartwright
Judges:
17. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (2000)
1st Prize: Rickeno Bullard
2nd Prize: Christophe Thompson
3rd Prize: Italia Williams
Honourable Mention: Tamara Russell, Holston Bain, Lamaro Wright
Scholarship Recipient: Garth Phillipi
Judges:
16. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (1999)
1st Prize: Kishan Munroe
2nd Prize: Tavares Strachan
3rd Prize: Holston Bain
Honorable Mention: David Hanna, Neville Rolle, Rembrandt Taylor
Scholarship Recipient: Kishan Munroe.
Judges:
16. Open Category Competition & Exhibition (1998)
1st Prize: Myriam Campbell
2nd Prize: Hasheen Lockhart
3rd Prize: Holston Bain
Honorable Mention: Trevor Tucker, Blue Curry.
Scholarship Recipients: Myriam Campbell, Hasheen Lockhart.
Judges: