Anguilla’s rich creative spirit took centre stage on Saturday, 13th December 2025, as the 9th Annual National Culture and Arts Awards was held at the Aurora Anguilla Resort. The prestigious evening, also known as The Rock Awards, brought together government officials, cultural practitioners, families, supporters and stakeholders in a momentous celebration of those who have dedicated their lives to preserving, promoting and advancing Anguillian culture and the arts.
The evening’s tone was set by chairperson and reigning Miss Anguilla 2025, Jasmine Ruan, who in her welcome remarks reminded the audience that the awards were rooted in togetherness. “Tonight is really about community. About coming together to enjoy the music, the movement, the art, the stories that make us who we are,” she said. “Whether you’re an artist, a nominee, a supporter, or someone who simply loves our culture, your presence here adds the magic to this moment.”
The National Culture and Arts Awards recognise individuals whose commitment has left an indelible mark on Anguilla’s cultural landscape. Fittingly, recipients are presented with The Rock Award itself — a symbolic and literal piece of Anguilla that embodies the island’s strength, resilience and creativity.
This year, five individuals were honoured across several categories spanning participation, leadership, innovation and lifetime achievement in culture and the arts.
Veteran musician Lanvol ‘Pantha’ Hughes received the Performing Arts Award for Participating in and Promoting Culture and Arts. With a remarkable 34-year journey in music, Hughes began performing at just 16 years old with local bands before founding Pantha Vibes International in 2007. His enduring contribution to Anguillian music has been marked by multiple Road March Champion titles and a steadfast commitment to preserving and promoting the island’s cultural heritage.
Amber Woodley was recognised with the Creative Community Engagement and Collaboration Award for Developing and Leading Culture and Arts. Described as a lifelong student, practitioner and teacher of culture, Woodley is the founding member of the All-Ah-Wee Young Theatre Company and the From Within Dance Company. A former pageant queen and the 2025 chairperson of the Miss Anguilla Pageant Committee, she has represented Anguilla locally, regionally and internationally, both on stage and behind the scenes.
The Innovative Creatives Award was presented to Alexis Ryan, a cultural ambassador and creative visionary whose influence on Anguilla’s performing arts and cultural expression is far-reaching. Ryan’s work spans fashion design, performance, mentorship and pageantry, where he has played a vital role in shaping Anguilla’s presence across the region. His multifaceted contribution continues to expand how Caribbean identity is expressed and celebrated.
Emerging soca artiste Viglef “Viggy” Gumbs received the One to Watch Award, recognising his growing impact on Anguilla’s music scene. Gumbs began his musical journey at the age of 12 in local bands before branching out as a solo artist. His efforts to put Anguilla’s soca music on the map have already borne fruit, with back-to-back Groovy Soca Monarch titles in 2024 and 2025.
The evening’s highest honour, the Cultural and Artistic Lifetime Achievement Award, was bestowed upon Renford Kelsick for decades of dedicated service to Anguilla’s cultural development. Kelsick played an instrumental role in the early organisation and implementation of Anguilla Summer Festival, then known simply as Anguilla’s Carnival. As president of the Lions Club in the 1980s, he helped secure financial support that led to significant improvements at the Landsome Bowl Cultural Centre. His contributions have extended to numerous Summer Festival committees and the hosting of countless cultural shows, with his passion still evident through participation in the Klassique Old Timers Troupe.
Delivering the feature address, Honourable Minister Shellya Rogers-Webster emphasised that culture is far more than entertainment. “Culture is not just a luxury. It is a living art of our nation. It is how we remember who we are, tell our stories and celebrate our differences and build our future together,” she said. Congratulating the awardees, the Minister noted that their work not only preserves tradition but also pushes Anguilla forward creatively and economically. “Culture is also an economic asset… but more than that, culture is our social capital. It strengthens community ties, heals wounds and offers young people pathways to self-expression and progress.”
Chair of the Selection Committee, Jacqueline Bryan, provided insight into the rigorous nomination and evaluation process, grounding her remarks in reflections on creativity and courage. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, she said, “A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and in the souls of its people,” adding that the awards were not simply about accolades, but about affirming the soul of Anguilla. She explained that nominations spanned multiple categories and segments, with each submission carefully reviewed to ensure fairness, integrity and high standards. “After careful discussion, scoring and systematic evaluation, the committee reached a unanimous and harmonious decision,” she shared.
The ceremony was also enriched by cultural performances, including an opening dance by Women of Dance and a stirring saxophone performance by Elliot Gumbs. One of the most poignant moments of the night came when honouree Alexis Ryan delivered a spoken word poem celebrating Anguilla’s people, creativity and pride, describing the island as “the jewel of the Leeward Islands” and its people as “proud… with a level of pride in their country that is bigger than their country.”
Closing remarks were delivered by Avon Carty, who expressed gratitude to the Government of Anguilla and the Ministry of Social Development for their continued support of the cultural sector. Acknowledging the often unseen labour behind such initiatives, she thanked those working tirelessly within the Department of Youth and Culture – particularly its Culture Division – to ensure that Anguilla’s cultural bearers are recognised and celebrated.
As the curtains fell on the 9th Annual National Culture and Arts Awards, it was clear that Anguilla’s culture remains vibrant because of the people who guard it, shape it and pass it on. On this night, those individuals were rightfully honoured — not only for what they have done, but for the legacy they continue to build for generations to come.
