When school’s out for summer, most teachers breathe a sigh of relief. But for six passionate primary educators at the Anguilla Community College (ACC), this summer was about brushes, bold ideas, and a lot of acrylic paint. These teachers, all currently enrolled in the Associate Degree in Education programme, dove headfirst into a hands-on Visual Arts elective that blended creativity with classroom innovation.
Facilitated by well-known art educator Mrs. Octavia Fleming,
the six-week programme wasn’t your average course. From blow painting with straws to intricate clay sculpting, this summer class was all about getting your hands messy in the best way possible.
“This course reignited my own love for art and gave me new ways to bring creativity into my teaching,” shared one of the participants with visible excitement during the closing exhibit, held on Tuesday, 29th July 2025 at Campus B. And indeed, if the walls of the final showcase could speak, they’d be singing in every shade of the rainbow.
Each teacher brought their own spark to the course, using various art elements – colour, texture, shape, line, form, value, and space – as the foundation for their creations. The elective aimed not just to build skill but to inspire a deeper understanding of how art can enrich a primary classroom.
Ms. Ecoly Richardson, inspired by scripture and current events, crafted a series of pieces that quietly protested against violence in society. Her use of acrylic paint and acrylic markers layered with tape added both texture and meaning. Her work was deeply personal and spiritual. “This course helped me bring out that side of me again. I love to paint.”
Raheem Adamson turned his presentation into a rhythmic celebration of sound. Even though he doesn’t play instruments himself, Raheem’s love for music sang through every brushstroke.
One of his standout paintings, Peace to Your Heart, used piano keys wrapping around a red heart to explore how deeply music connects to emotion. Another piece, Citrus Pan, cleverly used a dried fruit shell to mimic the curves of a steelpan, connecting Caribbean identity with artistic innovation.
Meanwhile, Aaron Adams’ individual works told stories of faith, identity, and experimentation. His religious piece, a mixed-media representation of Jesus’ crucifixion, used actual nails, heavy blood effects, and textured materials to convey sacrifice. The deeply symbolic Slave Girl, a smudged graphite piece fading from dark to light, showed the loss of cultural identity under oppression. Aaron, who is currently studying Computer Science at Southern New Hampshire University, says art isn’t his main path, but it’s certainly part of his journey. He helps create online comic strips with a friend, doing storyboards and writing scripts.
Ms. Heidi Fabien also turned what she expected to be a relaxing class into a full-blown artistic adventure. “I actually found it less stressful than I thought it would be,” she said. “And way more fun.”
Heidi dabbled in a bit of everything: tape art (which she initially found tedious, then satisfying), hand painting, water painting and even portraiture. Her portraits included those of Rihanna and Kelly Rowland. “I prefer painting over drawing,” she admitted. “Drawing takes too long.” Her collection included abstract rain-themed pieces, colour studies, and reflections on nature.
As the six-week course wrapped up, the teachers didn’t just walk away with completed portfolios – they walked away transformed. Their work now stands as a testament to what happens when passion meets purpose. They’ll return to their classrooms with more than lesson plans. They’ll return with vision, armed with new tools to bring creativity and critical thinking into their students’ lives.
The Anguilla Community College congratulated these dedicated educators for diving into the arts with heart, humour, and heaps of talent. As the College noted, “their achievements are testament to the power of professional growth and the role of visual arts in enriching the teaching and learning experience.”
Article by Janissa Fleming
