A landmark cross-regional artistic exchange initiative has wrapped up its three-week run in Dominica, bringing measurable cultural, educational and collaborative gains to the island’s creative community. The Waitukubuli Artist Association (WAA), the organizer of the project, recently confirmed the successful completion of the Dominica-Martinique Residency, which hosted acclaimed Martinican visual artist Kevin Jérémie — known professionally as JKing — for a packed schedule of studio creation, community outreach and intercultural dialogue.
Funded by the Caribbean Culture Fund (CCF) and hosted in partnership with local accommodation provider Caapi Cottages, the residency centered its creative exploration on pressing and identity-defining themes shared across the Caribbean: climate resilience, extraordinary regional biodiversity, distinct cultural identity, and the deep ancestral connection between Caribbean people and their natural landscapes. Throughout his stay on the island, JKing balanced individual creative practice with collaborative engagement, working side-by-side with established local Dominican artists to exchange technical skills and creative perspectives.
As part of the residency’s community-focused mission, JKing led a hands-on creative workshop for students at Soufrière Primary School, where he introduced young learners to new artistic techniques and encouraged them to explore their own creativity. Beyond the classroom, the visiting artist immersed himself in Dominica’s unique cultural heritage: he studied traditional Carnival costume construction from local artisans and traveled to Grand Fond to deepen his understanding of the island’s foundational Maroon history. Drawing direct inspiration from Dominica’s dramatic natural scenery, including its rushing rivers, lush rainforests and rugged Atlantic coastlines, JKing produced a body of entirely new work during his residency.
The initiative has left multiple lasting creative legacies for the island. A permanent outdoor mural, created as part of the project, now stands near Caapi Cottages, serving as a public reminder of the cross-island collaboration. The residency also generated co-created art pieces involving both WAA member artists and the Soufrière Primary students, as well as a collection of sculptural works crafted from driftwood JKing and collaborators collected along Rosalie Bay.
The workshop’s impact on young participants has been particularly notable, with educators and students alike expressing widespread enthusiasm. “I wish we did art like that every day,” one student told organizers, while another asked a teacher, “Can they come back tomorrow, Miss?” Sharing observations of the program, one local teacher noted: “The kids were actually asking me if they could do another painting. They were so engaged throughout the workshop, and it was wonderful to see their enthusiasm and creativity.”
To extend the project’s reach beyond Dominica, JKing documented his entire experience through daily video blogs posted to his Instagram account, allowing followers across the Caribbean and global audiences to follow his creative journey and learn more about Dominica’s unique culture and natural beauty.
WAA President Michael Lees emphasized that the residency is just one component of a growing regional collaborative network the association launched in 2025, alongside partner cultural organizations Twossaints, Station Culturelle, and Association Zofi based in Martinique and St. Lucia. Lees noted that early efforts at regional creative integration have already delivered tangible benefits for all participating islands. “Our Dominican artists have been able to see internationally renowned work in Martinique and had access to training, techniques and ideas we wouldn’t have otherwise,” Lees explained. “And likewise, artists from abroad like JKing have been able to come to Dominica and get inspired by the nature, the culture, and the spirit of collaboration present amongst our artists and our people.”
Lees framed the initiative as an important early step toward building a connected cross-island creative economy, a model that has already delivered success in other Caribbean nations such as Jamaica. “We see this as opening opportunities both for artists, but also for the many others who will benefit from a strong Creative sector,” he said. “It all starts with education, so exposing schoolchildren to the arts is a central pillar of this mission.”
Looking ahead, WAA is already developing the next phase of its regional collaborative work, with plans for additional reciprocal artist exchange programs, joint skill-building workshops, and a travelling exhibition showcasing work created through these cross-border partnerships. The association has expressed its sincere gratitude to the CCF for its ongoing support, noting that two additional collaborative projects are currently underway with funding from the organization. WAA also extended thanks to Caapi Cottages, participating schools, local community members, and all participating artists who contributed time, resources and expertise to make the residency a success.