A groundbreaking youth arts initiative that bridges creative expression, civic values and national development has wrapped up in Saint Lucia, leaving an enduring mark on one of the country’s most significant public infrastructure projects. Twenty-one emerging local artists earned a lasting spot in the Saint Lucia Halls of Justice (HOJ) Youth Art Challenge, capping off the competition with a celebratory prize ceremony and public exhibition opening at Constitution Park last Thursday.
Organized as a collaborative effort between NH International (Caribbean) Ltd., the Ministry of Education, and Republic Bank (EC) Limited, the competition opened submissions to secondary and tertiary students across the entire island. The core prompt invited young creators to explore a deeply personal and civic question: What does justice look like through your eyes?
Over the course of the challenge, participating students responded with a stunning range of creative mediums, from traditional paintings and handcrafted fibre art to cutting-edge digital pieces, documentary photography, and three-dimensional sculpture. Their works collectively unpack themes central to justice: equal rights, equal access to opportunity, radical truth, community peace, institutional accountability, and collective well-being.
Organizers designed the challenge with a clear intentionality beyond celebrating artistic talent: they sought to boost youth civic engagement, and push back against the narrow framing of justice as only a legal or bureaucratic concept. Instead, the initiative encouraged young people to recognize justice as a lived force that shapes every part of daily community life.
In total, nine secondary and tertiary institutions across Saint Lucia submitted entries for consideration. After a rigorous judging process and a public voting campaign that drew nearly 2,000 responses from local residents, winners were selected across multiple categories.
Top honors went to Makena Edward from Soufrière Comprehensive Secondary School for her work *Justice in Balance*. Second place was awarded to Aquili Arthur of Patricia D. James Secondary School for *Shelter and Justice for All*, while Kami St Rose of St Joseph’s Convent claimed third place for her piece *Justice and Equality for All*. A Special Recognition Award was granted to Rebecca Felix, Neila Martyr, and Trina Pelage from the Stanley Jon Odlum School of Arts, Media and Design for their unique three-dimensional installation *Community Harmony* — the only sculpture entered in the entire competition.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Michelle Clarke, Corporate Secretary and Head of Human Resources at NH International (Caribbean) Ltd., emphasized that the project was far more than a typical art competition. She explained that as the lead developer behind the new Halls of Justice, the company views its role as going beyond constructing physical infrastructure. Instead, it aims to uplift communities by passing on core values, creating meaningful opportunities for young people, and building a shared commitment to a progressive Caribbean where excellence has tangible, personal meaning for all residents.
Wayne Girard, Saint Lucia’s Minister for Economic Development and the Youth Economy, also addressed the gathered participants and guests, encouraging students to see themselves as active contributors to the nation’s ongoing growth. “Development is about much more than roads, bridges and buildings,” he told attendees. “Development is also about citizens. It is about the kind of people we become.”
Girard went on to highlight the critical role that creative art plays in forging a shared national identity, noting that the winning and selected works have already become a permanent part of the Halls of Justice story — long before the institution opens its official doors. Even before the first judge takes a seat or the first court case is heard, he argued, these young artists have already helped define what justice means to the Saint Lucian people that the new institution will serve.
Jeremiah Norbert, Minister responsible for Home Affairs, Crime Prevention, Conflict Resolution, and Persons with Disabilities, also attended the ceremony to celebrate the participating youth.
All 21 selected artworks were officially unveiled at the event, and will remain on permanent public display at the Halls of Justice construction site until building work is completed. For organizers, the ongoing exhibition makes a powerful statement: it ensures that young people are not just passive bystanders to major national development projects, but active co-creators of the values and goals that those projects stand for.