As Anguilla prepares for the excitement, pride and fierce competition of the Anguilla Day Boat Race on Monday 1st June 2026, one local artist is ensuring that this year’s winning vessel will carry home more than bragging rights.
Renowned shell artist and craftsman Iwassi-I has donated a striking hand-crafted sculpture to be presented to the winner of the Anguilla Day race — a deeply symbolic work carved from wood and local conch shells, celebrating both Anguillian identity and the island’s enduring revolutionary spirit.
The piece, which took considerable time and skill to create, features a wooden map of Anguilla crowned with intricate conch shell artistry. A sailboat, sculpted from polished conch shell, races ahead while a dolphin appears in pursuit, frozen in motion behind it.
“The dolphin is trying to catch up to the boat,” Iwassi explained with a smile during an interview this week. “This goes to show that even a dolphin can’t catch up with the champion.”
The sculpture also incorporates an Anguillian flag crafted from conch shell, tying together sea, culture and national pride into one distinctive creation.
For Iwassi, however, the gift is about far more than artistry. It is an offering from the heart.
“It is for the boat itself, not the captain or the crew. So whoever is the owner of the boat will have this in their home,” he explained.
The respected artist, who has become known for some of the island’s most intricate shell sculptures and handcrafted jewellery, has created more than 150 pieces over the years. His work, often shaped from local seashells and conch, has earned admiration for originality and unmistakably Anguillian character.
Yet despite the value of the piece, Iwassi insisted that profit was never his motivation.
“This would be very expensive if I were to sell it,” he admitted. “But money isn’t everything. I would love to know that I can be a sponsor for whoever wins the race. When I do things like this, I feel happy.”
The Anguilla Day race holds special significance for him because of its connection to the island’s history and the Anguilla Revolution.
What followed was not simply a reflection on history, but a deeply personal account of survival, patriotism and growing up far too quickly.
According to Iwassi, he was only 11 years when he became involved in the Anguilla Revolution – describing himself as the youngest soldier during that period.
“I wanted to fight for my country and for my people,” he recalled.
At the time, his mother was living and working in St. Martin, leaving him largely to fend for himself in Anguilla. He remembers being taught from an early age how to cook, wash and iron — skills that forced him into adulthood long before his years.
He painted vivid memories of evenings during the revolution when neighbourhood children would be called home by their parents as darkness fell across the village. But no voice ever called for him.
Instead, he said he would wait for revolutionary figures, including Charles “Charlie” Fleming and others, to arrive so he could join them.
The memories clearly remain close to him decades later, helping explain why the annual Anguilla Day race is more than just a sporting event in his eyes. For many Anguillians, the races represent national pride and community celebration. For Iwassi, they are also a living reminder of sacrifice, resilience and belonging.
As boats prepare to battle across the waters this Monday, his handcrafted sculpture will stand as a symbol of those same values — local craftsmanship honouring local courage.
And while only one vessel will claim victory, Iwassi said his greatest wish is simply for the races to unfold safely and joyfully for everyone involved.
