Ms. Ammique Tosca Mills
The evening of Saturday 21st April, 2023, Devonish Art Gallery in South Hill, was abuzz with activity as a young budding artist, Ammique Tosca Mills, took pride in showcasing her creativity in uniquely made jewelry and several other favourite art and craft pieces.
In July of 2021, the management of the Devonish Art Gallery was taken over from the legendary artist Courtney Devonish by a shrewd and versatile business woman, Mrs. Doreen Liburd. While Mr. Devonish still works hard behind the scenes in the production of carvings for the business, Doreen runs the store with a wealth of business-oriented experience.
However, one of her most prominent goals and a keen intent of her business is to expose local young artists’ work to the public eye. She believes that through constant exposure of their artwork, young, talented art entrepreneurs can gain the needed publicity for their craft while they discover the nature of the art gallery business. Ammique Tosca Mills is one such artist who got that privilege of exposure last Saturday night.
“Ammique really touched my heart. She is an extremely creative artist, and I have seen vast potential for the local art area within her. She has put a great deal of thought and imagery in her craft,” Doreen reflected. “Behind her work there is local knowledge that will particularly interest the discriminating tourist who might want to learn more about Anguilla.”
“Through her art,” Doreen said, “Ammique portrays tidbits of information about Anguilla which tourists would very much appreciate. For example, her art bears the significance of Anguilla’s three dolphins, and her souvenirs are nothing less than unique. She produces various kinds of crafts which depict local sceneries on souvenirs – items that would delight our visitors.”
Ammique tends to be naturally gifted, and she told of how she started in the art arena.
“In 2014, I opened my own hair salon business in The Valley, she said. “When business declined during the Covid-19 pandemic, I then naturally turned on my creative talent, making jewelry, souvenirs and other crafts.”
Doreen also spoke of her visit to the recent visual art displays produced by the Fifth Form students of the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School for their CXC examinations. The exhibition was held in the Rodney MacArthur Rey Auditorium on Thursday 13th April, 2023.
“Recently, it was such a pleasure for me to take a tour of the several tables displaying art in the MacArthur Rey auditorium,” she said. “My daughter was one of the art students, and, of course, I was proud of her work. But as I moved from table to table that day, I was highly impressed by what I saw. I was amazed by the quality of art which the students exhibited.”
“Anguilla’s students have a great degree of talent in artistic abilities,” she noted. “My advice is that when these students leave school, they should not leave their work of art behind, and forget about it. Their art should not be a thing of the past, but they should seek to pursue avenues whereby they can develop themselves into more fully fledged artists.”
“I have seen great potential in that exhibition, and I would like to say that just as Devonish Art Gallery has provided publicity for Ammique’s magnificent work, we are willing to welcome and promote the work of any young artist at the Devonish Art Gallery. Any interested young artist may call us at 584-6019,” Mrs. Liburd said.
