Carib Scope

标签： Grenada

格林纳达

  • Spice Girls dismantle Antigua and Barbuda in U16 Netball

    Spice Girls dismantle Antigua and Barbuda in U16 Netball

    The 22nd edition of the Jean Pierre Youth Netball Tournament has delivered a stunning turnaround story, as Grenada’s Under-16 national netball squad – fondly nicknamed the Spice Girls – stormed to a lopsided 35-8 victory against Antigua and Barbuda on Monday, April 13. This 27-goal winning margin marks the biggest gap between final scores across all matches played in the tournament to date, turning around the young team’s rocky start to the competition in dramatic fashion.

    After two straight opening matches marked by crippling offensive inconsistency that left the Spice Girls with two losses, the squad finally found its clinical footing on the court at the UWI SPEC Grounds. Leading the offensive charge was goal-attack Reshonna Francis, whose exceptional shooting accuracy tore through Antigua and Barbuda’s defensive line. Francis landed 30 successful goals out of 37 total attempts, accounting for nearly 86 percent of Grenada’s total score on the day.

    Grenada seized control of the match from the opening whistle, ending the first quarter with a commanding 10-1 lead. Unlike the team’s earlier outings, where promising early leads slipped away due to unforced errors, the Spice Girls maintained relentless pressure through the entire match, heading into halftime with an overwhelming 20-2 advantage that Antigua and Barbuda never recovered from.

    While Francis dominated the shooting circle, the historic victory was built on a suffocating collective defensive performance that shut down all of Antigua and Barbuda’s attacking chances. Goal-defender Nashauna Noel turned in a standout backcourt performance, notching a game-high six interceptions to disrupt opponent passes. Wing-defense Phebe Rubin added four more interceptions of her own, while goal-keeper Treasure Frederick locked down the goal circle to leave Antigua and Barbuda unable to find any consistent offensive rhythm. Mid-court play was expertly directed by Kamia Lewis, who notched two assists and two interceptions to keep possession and momentum firmly on Grenada’s side.

    Monday’s blowout win comes as a much-needed boost of momentum for the young squad, which navigated a grueling opening weekend of back-to-back matches against the tournament’s most formidable opponents. On April 11, the Spice Girls kicked off their campaign against former champions Barbados, where despite a gritty defensive showing, costly ball-handling mistakes and inconsistent shooting led to a 20-12 defeat. The following day, the team faced arguably their toughest challenge yet: squaring off against defending champions Trinidad and Tobago, also known as the Calypso Girls, on their home turf. Playing through a hostile crowd environment, Grenada fell 32-12, extending the Calypso Girls’ ongoing winning streak that stretches back to 2025.

    For the Spice Girls’ coaching staff, Monday’s performance offers plenty of reasons for optimism, particularly the squad’s marked improvement in two problem areas that sank their first two matches: reducing unforced errors and maximizing scoring opportunities from every possession. Now holding the title of the tournament’s biggest win so far, Grenada advances to the final stages of the competition with renewed competitive confidence and a vastly improved goal average that strengthens their position going forward. The Spice Girls will look to carry this red-hot form into their upcoming fixture against St. Lucia as they continue their push for a podium finish at this year’s tournament hosted in St Augustine.

  • US Embassy launches Next Level Hip Hop Programme

    US Embassy launches Next Level Hip Hop Programme

    A new cross-cultural artistic initiative is set to bring American and Grenadian creative communities together next spring, as the U.S. Embassy in Grenada officially announced the launch of the 2026 Next Level Hip Hop Programme. This dynamic exchange project, developed in collaboration with Grenada’s Ministry of Tourism, Creative Economy and Culture, will host a two-week immersive residency from April 13 to 24, 2026, pairing established American hip hop artists and industry professionals with emerging local Grenadian talent.

    Throughout the residency, participating Grenadian creators will gain hands-on experience across four core pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, breakdance, DJing, and aerosol art. Sessions will combine skill-building workshops, collaborative creation opportunities, and one-on-one mentorship designed to lift up local creative voices.

    Unlike traditional performance programs, Next Level frames hip hop as more than an art form: it serves as a versatile platform for personal storytelling, cross-cultural dialogue, creative entrepreneurship, and grassroots community building. At its core, the initiative aims to foster mutual understanding between the United States and Grenada, strengthen people-to-people connections, and create space for the open, free exchange of ideas between artists from different backgrounds.

    The 2026 iteration of the programme carries special historical significance, as it coincides with the United States’ 250th anniversary of national independence. The program is used as a showcase for the enduring values of free expression, creative innovation, and equal access to opportunity that the anniversary celebrates — values that cultural exchange efforts like Next Level work to advance every day.

    Next Level is a flagship initiative of the U.S. Department of State, with on-the-ground implementation managed by the non-profit Meridian International Centre. Officials from the U.S. Embassy Grenada have publicly expressed gratitude for the partnership with the Government of Grenada, noting the shared commitment to nurturing and expanding Grenada’s growing creative economy.

    To cap off the two-week residency, the program will wrap with a free, open-to-the-public showcase that invites the entire Grenadian community to experience the work created during the collaboration. The event will celebrate the vibrant, unique creative talent of Grenada’s hip hop scene and highlight the new connections forged between the participating artists from both nations.

  • General Hospital dismisses disinformation regarding Nephrology Unit

    General Hospital dismisses disinformation regarding Nephrology Unit

    Misinformation claiming a state of crisis at the Nephrology Unit of Grenada’s General Hospital has been formally and unequivocally rejected by the country’s Ministry of Health and the hospital administration. In an official statement delivered Wednesday during a post-cabinet press briefing held in St. George’s, Health Minister Hon. Philip Telesford clarified that these circulating claims are entirely misleading, and the unit has maintained full, standard operations to deliver quality care to all patients with kidney-related conditions.

    While the minister was firm in dismissing rumors of a unit-wide crisis, he did emphasize that kidney failure itself stands as a serious and rapidly growing public health challenge across Grenada. The core public health crisis, Telesford explained, is not a breakdown of the nephrology department, but widespread noncompliance with public health guidance that could prevent kidney disease. Too many local residents have failed to respond to repeated calls for routine early screening, and many are not taking the necessary steps to manage chronically high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar — two well-documented leading risk factors for developing chronic kidney disease.

    “We have to make a clear distinction between baseless rumor and factual reality,” Telesford stated. “The reality is that kidney failure is a major public health threat for Grenada. The true crisis we face is that too many of our citizens are ignoring public health advice to protect their own health through early detection and proactive lifestyle changes.”

    Telesford went on to outline key, accessible steps that all Grenadians can take to reduce their risk of kidney disease and reduce strain on kidney function. He urged the public to incorporate regular physical activity into daily routines, maintain consistent hydration by drinking adequate water, cut back on alcohol and tobacco consumption, and adopt a nutrient-dense, balanced diet to support long-term kidney health.

    Alongside debunking the misinformation, the Ministry of Health issued three core public health recommendations for all citizens: first, to schedule consistent routine health check-ups that include screening for kidney function; second, to manage blood sugar and blood pressure levels through a combination of healthy diet, regular exercise, and ongoing guidance from medical professionals; and third, to reach out to healthcare providers at the first sign of concerns, rather than waiting for symptoms to progress to a dangerous stage.

    The ministry closed by reaffirming that the Nephrology Unit at General Hospital remains fully operational, with its entire staff dedicated to delivering high-quality care to all patients. It added that the government continues to prioritize resource allocation and public outreach initiatives to combat the growing burden of chronic disease and protect the overall health of the Grenadian population.

  • CARIFTA Champion Deshawn Smart to train with Anderson Peters

    CARIFTA Champion Deshawn Smart to train with Anderson Peters

    Fresh off a dominant gold medal performance at the 2026 CARIFTA Games, rising Grenadian javelin prospect Deshawn Smart is poised to enter a transformative new phase of his athletic career. The 17-and-under standout, who claimed the top spot on the podium with a 65.09-meter throw just 3.75 meters off the event’s long-standing record, will now train alongside two-time world champion Anderson Peters under the tutelage of Paul Phillip, Grenada’s most decorated track and field coach.

    For most young Caribbean athletes, a CARIFTA title represents the crowning achievement of their early careers. For Smart, however, the win looks to be just the starting point of what experts predict could be a historic trajectory. The athletic community has already drawn comparisons between Smart and his new training partner: when Peters claimed CARIFTA U17 gold in 2012, he recorded a winning throw of 60.50 meters, five meters shorter than Smart’s 2026 winning mark. Peters himself has confirmed that Smart is already five meters ahead of where he was at the same age.

    To nurture this once-in-a-generation talent, Niade Simon, head coach of Smart’s home team Altitude Track Academy, made the proactive decision to move Smart into the St David Track Blazers Camp — Grenada’s most successful and proven javelin development program. This is the same program where Phillip coached Peters to global stardom, including a 2024 Olympic bronze medal.

    “Deshawn has continued to show dominance and consistency, but he still has to improve on his technical abilities,” Simon explained. “For now, it’s back to the lab.”

    The arrangement reflects a collaborative, community-centered approach to athlete development: Smart will retain his membership with Altitude Track Academy while training full-time under Phillip, bridging the foundation of his early success with the elite coaching needed to reach his full potential. “It’s always hard to let go of someone that you’ve invested in,” Simon admitted. “But I trust Coach Paul to do what’s best for his development.”

    Born and raised in the small community of Hermitage, St Patrick, Smart’s rise to prominence stems as much from his relentless work ethic as it does from his natural physical talent. A student at St Andrew’s Anglican Secondary School, Smart’s discipline has stood out to coaches throughout his development; Simon often gave up his own lunch breaks to lead extra training sessions, which Smart never missed.

    Despite Smart’s clear elite potential, his path to future competition podiums faces significant practical and financial barriers. His daily commute between Hermitage and St David, paired with the costs of elite nutrition and specialized athletic equipment, creates a heavy financial burden for the young athlete and his team. Simon has issued a public call for support from both the Grenadian government and local private sector, arguing that a talent of Smart’s caliber should not be held back by a lack of resources. “The talent is evident. The guidance is proven,” Simon said.

    As Smart settles into his new training regime under Phillip, the entire nation is watching closely. What began as the emergence of a promising young teenager is now shaping up to be the evolution of a potential future world champion. If Smart continues on his current trajectory, Grenada’s already legendary javelin legacy will not just be preserved — it will be redefined for a new generation.

  • Arthur Daniel to represent Grenada at La Biennale d’Arte di Venezia

    Arthur Daniel to represent Grenada at La Biennale d’Arte di Venezia

    One of Grenada’s most versatile creative voices is set to bring the vibrant soul and natural beauty of his Caribbean island to one of the world’s most prestigious contemporary art stages. Multidisciplinary artist Arthur Daniel—whose career spans photography, cinematography, entrepreneurship and music—has been selected to represent Grenada at the Grenada Pavilion during the La Biennale d’Arte di Venezia in Italy, where he will unveil a carefully curated body of work born from a lifelong fascination with both his native homeland and the broader global landscape.

    Daniel’s distinctive visual style traces its roots to formative childhood experiences that shaped his connection to the natural world and the art of exploration. Growing up, frequent walking expeditions into Grenada’s wild bushlands with his father instilled a deep reverence for nature that continues to anchor every project he takes on. This influence is clearly visible across his portfolio: his striking wildlife shots capture the character of native species ranging from the charismatic Mona monkey to the critically endangered endemic Grenada Dove, while his vivid documentation of Grenada’s iconic carnival and grassroots drag racing events celebrates the island’s dynamic cultural energy. His sweeping landscape photographs do more than showcase scenic vistas—they distill the unyielding spirit of Grenada itself, a testament to his enduring love for his home.

    A graduate in Management Information Sciences from St. George’s University, Daniel built early professional experience in public relations with Grenada’s True Blue Bay Resort before turning his full attention to visual art. He first picked up a camera in 2010, and in the years since, his work has earned international acclaim: his images have appeared in leading global publications and have been officially used by the Grenada Tourism Authority to promote the island to travelers worldwide. What sets Daniel apart is his commitment to unconventional perspective; he actively seeks out overlooked angles and unplanned moments that invite audiences to see even the most familiar Grenadian landscapes in entirely new ways.

    His foray into sailing photography began with local coverage of two beloved regional events: the Workboat Regatta and Grenada Sailing Week. That early work opened doors to international collaborations, including a role with the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s media team covering the Caribbean 600 yacht race in Antigua. Today, his sailing imagery is regularly featured in top yachting print and digital outlets across the globe.

    Fresh off a successful featured exhibition at Carifesta 2025, Daniel is approaching his Venice Biennale debut with palpable excitement, eager to share his vision of Grenada with a global audience on one of contemporary art’s most high-profile platforms. “I am starting to learn more about this creative space,” he shared, noting that this is not his first contribution to the Grenada Pavilion—he previously contributed a video interview with his sister, environmental scientist Dr. Jodi Daniel, centered on the growing challenge of sargassum blooms in Caribbean waters.

    In recent days, Daniel and his small creative team—made up of camera and drone operator Renel Parkes and audio technician Andre Hayes—have begun filming the first segment of a new collaborative video project for the pavilion. The first part of the film captures Grenada-born independent artist Jeverson Ramirez performing on the steelpan aboard Savvy, an authentic hand-built sloop from Petite Martinique moored just off Grenada’s Carenage, with vessel handling supported by Danny Donelan and Brian Samuel. The second segment will be filmed on location in Venice, where Ramirez will reprise his performance aboard a traditional Venetian sandolo sailing through the city’s iconic canals.

    This blend of on-island and international filming aligns with Daniel’s signature creative approach: equal parts research and spontaneous art, he prioritizes staying open to everyday inspiration and crafting stories that resonate with universal human experience. When the Grenada Pavilion opens to visitors, Daniel’s combined video work and curated photography from both Grenada and Venice will not only draw attention to the national presentation but also introduce new global audiences to the rich, diverse cultural heritage of the Caribbean island.

    This 2025 presentation marks the ninth time Grenada has hosted a national pavilion at the Venice Biennale since 2015, with six previous appearances at the art biennale and three at the architecture edition of the event, cementing the country’s growing presence in the global contemporary art scene.

  • 2026 China Scholarship Announcement

    2026 China Scholarship Announcement

    A new round of applications for the 2026 MOFCOM Scholarship-CSC Programme, a fully-funded graduate study opportunity for Grenadian nationals at Chinese universities, has been launched jointly by the governments of the People’s Republic of China and Grenada. Established by China’s Ministry of Commerce, the scholarship initiative aims to nurture professional talent for developing countries while deepening bilateral educational and professional cooperation between China and partner nations around the world. This call represents the second separate application round for the 2026 intake, with a distinct timeline and process from the first opening. Candidates who already submitted materials during the first round are not required to reapply, and all prospective applicants are strongly advised to review program guidelines carefully to confirm their eligibility and submit materials under the correct application channel. To qualify for the program, candidates must meet a set of clear eligibility criteria. All applicants must hold valid Grenadian citizenship, be no older than 45 (meaning they must be born after September 1, 1981), and provide an official medical report from a public hospital confirming good physical and mental health. For Master’s degree applicants, a minimum of a completed bachelor’s degree plus at least three years of professional work experience is required, while PhD applicants must hold a completed Master’s degree from a recognized institution. All candidates must currently be employed, with priority given to division-level or above government officials, senior organizational or corporate management, and academic staff at universities or research institutions. Applicants must also demonstrate sufficient English proficiency to complete graduate-level study in China, and must not currently be enrolled in a Chinese higher education institution or hold another active Chinese government scholarship. A full updated list of participating Chinese universities and available majors for the 2026 intake is published via an official linked portal, accessible to all prospective applicants. The MOFCOM-CSC Scholarship provides comprehensive financial support for all selected recipients throughout their program of study. Coverage includes full tuition waivers, free access to course materials, coverage for research and field survey costs, stipends for English-medium programs, and dissertation supervision fees. Recipients also receive free on-campus accommodation during their studies, a monthly living stipend totaling 36,000 RMB per year for Master’s students and 42,000 RMB per year for PhD students (disbursed monthly based on actual time spent in China), and a one-time 3,000 RMB resettlement allowance for newly arrived students. Additional benefits include free comprehensive medical insurance for international students, a one-time round-trip international airfare between the recipient’s home country and China, and coverage for up to one additional round-trip airfare per year for annual home visits. Continued scholarship funding for multi-year programs is contingent on passing a mandatory annual performance review. All applicants are reminded that all supporting documents must be scanned using professional equipment to ensure clarity, and must be officially certified to be considered valid. A clear, step-by-step application process is outlined for all candidates, completed entirely through the official China Scholarship Council (CSC) online portal: Step 1: Access the official “CSC Study in China” website at http://www.campuschina.org, click “Scholarship Application for Students”, create an individual account, and log in. Step 2: Complete all required personal information via the “Edit Personal Details” tab, verify and save all entries, then click “Finish” to proceed to the application information section. Step 3: Select the correct program category: for MOFCOM-CSC Scholarship applicants, the required selection is “Type A”. Step 4: Enter the official agency number 00010, which is exclusively assigned to MOFCOM-CSC Programme applicants. Program category and agency number are directly matched, so incorrect entries will result in application materials not being received by processing authorities. After entering the number, the matching agency name will automatically populate on the platform. Step 5: Complete the “Language Proficiency and Study Plan” section, upload all required supporting documents as instructed, and review all entries and materials before clicking “Submit” to finalize the application. When selecting preferred higher education institutions, the platform will automatically match available universities based on the applicant’s student category, preferred teaching language, and chosen major. For additional questions about program offerings, applicants can access discipline and major catalogs via the website’s “Help” section. Step 6: After submission, no further edits can be made to personal or application information. However, before processing by authorities, applicants may withdraw their submission to make edits, but must resubmit the revised application for it to be considered. Once authorities have begun processing, withdrawals are no longer permitted. Step 7: Click “Print the Application Form” to download the completed form. The CSC recommends using either Firefox or Internet Explorer for the application process; Internet Explorer users must disable the “compatibility view mode” before editing documents. Step 8: After completing the online application, candidates must submit hard copy materials to Grenada’s official dispatching authority, the Human Resource Development Division at the Ministry of Education, as required. The CSC emphasizes that it never delegates application processing to third-party individuals or intermediary agents. All applicants are advised to submit applications directly via official channels to avoid fraud, and notes that campuschina.org is the only official platform for CSC Study in China information. Required hard copy documents include three copies of each of the following: the completed MOFCOM-CSC Programme application form (confirming online submission has been completed), a certified copy of the biodata page of a valid non-expired passport, three recent passport-sized photographs, certified copies of the highest academic diploma, certified copies of official academic transcripts, a detailed study plan or research proposal, a full curriculum vitae, two recommendation letters (one from the applicant’s current employer and one from an academic referee), a copy of the completed Foreigner Physical Examination Form (for programs longer than six months, valid for only six months from the date of examination and requiring an attending physician’s signature, official hospital stamp and sealed applicant photo to be valid), and a valid police clearance certificate issued within six months of the application submission date. All application materials must be submitted on or before the May 14, 2026 deadline. For additional inquiries about the program or application process, prospective applicants can contact the Human Resource Development Division at Grenada’s Ministry of Education via telephone at (473) 440-2737, WhatsApp at (473) 417-9762, or email at the two official addresses published by the ministry.

  • World Earth Day 2026: Wednesday, 22 April

    World Earth Day 2026: Wednesday, 22 April

    Grenada’s Ministry of Climate Resilience, The Environment and Renewable Energy has issued a public call for broad participation from all citizens, organizations and community groups across the island nation for the 2026 World Earth Day observance, scheduled for Wednesday, April 22.

    This year’s national campaign, branded as the Parish Tree Planting and Earth Dress Day, is centered on advancing long-term environmental sustainability, boosting public ecological awareness, and mobilizing collective effort to safeguard Grenada’s unique natural ecosystems. Aligned with the global World Earth Day theme of “Our Planet, Our Power”, the initiative is designed to turn individual intent into coordinated national action.

    Organizers have outlined multiple accessible pathways for people across all age groups and sectors to get involved. First, participants are invited to wear clothing in signature Earth colors—shades of green or blue—on April 22 to visibly show their support for greater environmental consciousness. Beyond this simple gesture, individuals and groups are encouraged to take part in hands-on, eco-friendly activities that fit their local context: this can range from planting a native tree or starting a new community garden to organizing a local neighborhood cleanup or implementing personal waste-reduction habits. Participants are also asked to extend the invitation to their social circles, encouraging friends, family members and coworkers to join the movement and amplify the initiative’s reach. To celebrate the breadth of national engagement, attendees are invited to document their activities with photos and share them on social media, tagging the Ministry’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts. Selected contributions will be featured as part of Grenada’s official national Earth Day commemoration.

    The campaign emphasizes that meaningful environmental progress depends on cross-sector collaboration, bringing together government bodies, the local private sector, faith-based organizations, community associations and individual citizens under a shared mission to foster greater environmental responsibility and nurture national pride in Grenada’s natural heritage. Ministry organizers note that when small, individual actions are combined across the entire nation, they add up to a tangible, lasting impact that moves Grenada closer to its goal of becoming a greener, more climate-resilient and sustainable country.

    This call to action closes with an invitation for all Grenadians to stand united in support of the planet, joining the Ministry in marking 2026 World Earth Day and reaffirming the nation’s commitment to protecting its natural resources for future generations.

    *Disclaimer: This announcement was originally shared via NOW Grenada, which does not take responsibility for opinions, statements or third-party content contributed by external organizations. Users may report content that violates platform guidelines through official reporting channels.*

  • Grenada PM euolgises national known as the “People’s Doctor”

    Grenada PM euolgises national known as the “People’s Doctor”

    Hundreds of mourners from Grenada, the wider Caribbean, and across communities gathered in Brooklyn, New York, last week to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Ronald Purcell, the renowned Grenadian surgeon affectionately known as “the People’s Doctor,” who passed away suddenly at his Brooklyn home on March 25 at the age of 73.

    Grenada’s top leadership, including Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell and Governor-General Dame Cecile La Grenade, traveled to New York to attend the funeral service held at The Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, led by presiding priest Fr Alonzo Cox. The Quake USA Cultural Organisation, a Brooklyn-based liturgical folk group with roots in Grenada, performed special musical tributes to celebrate Purcell’s life and connection to his home country.

    Speaking to the gathered congregation, Prime Minister Mitchell reflected on Purcell’s enduring impact on Grenada and its people, noting that the surgeon left the island nation when Mitchell was just three years old. “Grenada simply says, ‘If it wasn’t for Dr Purcell…I don’t know what would have happened to me,’” Mitchell told attendees. He praised Purcell’s extraordinary commitment to going above and beyond the call of duty for his patients, framing his life as a testament to community-focused service. “He understood that success was about community,” Mitchell said. “We celebrate his life; we celebrate his legacy; we hold him with a deep, abiding admiration — his counsel, his duty to public service.” Calling on attendees to follow Purcell’s example of selfless leadership, Mitchell closed his remarks by offering a formal thank you on behalf of the entire people of Grenada, adding “May his soul rest in peace.”

    Cheryl Vincent, a Grenada-born registered nurse who worked alongside Purcell at SUNY Downstate Medical Centre and University Hospital Brooklyn, confirmed to the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that Purcell died from a sudden cardiac event. In a moving eulogy delivered by his son Kevin Purcell, himself a practicing physician, the life and professional journey of the late surgeon were laid out for attendees.

    Kevin Purcell shared that his father earned his medical degree in 1973 from the University of the West Indies Mona Campus in Kingston, Jamaica. He completed his post-graduate internship at Port of Spain General Hospital in Trinidad, before returning to his native Grenada to practice at St George’s General Hospital until 1980. That year, Purcell relocated to New York to begin a general surgery residency at Brooklyn Jewish Hospital, now known as Interfaith Medical Centre. He later went on to complete a specialized vascular surgery fellowship at the Texas Heart Institute, training under Dr. Denton Cooley, the pioneering surgeon who completed the world’s first artificial heart transplant.

    After finishing his fellowship training, Purcell chose to return to Brooklyn to build his decades-long medical practice, where he provided life-saving and compassionate care to thousands of patients from across the globe, with a particular focus on serving diaspora communities from the Caribbean. Alongside his clinical work, he also mentored and trained hundreds of the next generation of healthcare providers.

    In his eulogy, Kevin Purcell described his father as a bold, highly skilled surgeon with a natural gift for operating, who regarded surgery as his life’s passion and every one of his patients as a valued individual rather than a medical case. “He treated everyone with love, respect, compassion and dignity, regardless of their race, economic status, sexual orientation or insurance coverage,” his son shared. Purcell held a deeply held belief in holistic care, committing to healing the whole person — body, mind, and soul — rather than just treating a medical condition. “He viewed his patients not as cases but as whole people — mothers and fathers, grandparents and children, neighbours and friends. He listened first, and when he spoke, it was with compassion, empathy, and hope,” Kevin Purcell added.

  • Division of Culture to host second workshop in Carriacou

    Division of Culture to host second workshop in Carriacou

    Grenada’s Division of Culture under the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Economy and Culture is launching a two-day specialized training workshop combining vocal performance and dance this week in Carriacou. The event marks a key early step in building capacity ahead of the much-anticipated Festival of the Arts, scheduled to run across the latter half of 2026 from September through December.

    Hosted at the Ariza Conference Room, the workshop will welcome participants on Thursday, April 16 and Friday, April 17, with both sessions running from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Designed specifically for primary and secondary school educators, many of whom are not specialized in performing arts, the training aims to build foundational skills that will support local participation in the upcoming festival.

    The opening day of the workshop will be led by experienced voice specialist Valarie Daniel-Burkhardt, who previously drew a crowd of 50 school choir teachers from across Grenada for a choir development session in St. George’s back in February. Daniel-Burkhardt’s vocal training will center on practical exercises to strengthen core singing skills, including targeted work on voice placement and projection, vocal resonance, clear diction and articulation, proper performance posture, and consistent intonation. A core goal of the session is to help participants reframe their understanding of the human voice as a unique musical wind instrument, while equipping them with actionable techniques to project vocals clearly in performance settings.

    Day two will shift focus to dance, under the direction of Noyda Noel, Acting Artistic Director of Conception Dance Theatre. Boasting more than 12 years of experience as a dance educator, Noel will guide participants through a deep exploration of core foundational techniques for both modern and traditional dance – two genres that are central to the programming of the upcoming Festival of the Arts. The session will also cover the fundamentals of choreography, giving participant educators the skills to create and lead their own student dance routines ahead of the festival.

    This workshop is the second targeted professional development event hosted in Carriacou in as many months, following a successful theater arts training last month. That earlier session equipped local teachers with new skills across a range of theatrical disciplines, including core drama techniques, storytelling craft, and monologue performance. As organizers continue rolling out pre-festival training across the country, the series aims to build a strong base of skilled educators who can nurture young artistic talent ahead of the multi-month 2026 celebration.

    This article was published by NOW Grenada, which notes it is not responsible for opinions or content shared by third-party contributors, and invites users to report any abusive content via official channels.

  • World Art Day: Cultivating community through art

    World Art Day: Cultivating community through art

    Art has captivated human civilization for millennia, yet its fundamental nature remains a topic of ongoing discussion among creators, critics and audiences alike. Rooted in the Latin term ars – meaning skill, craft, or creative expression – the concept of art dates back to the founding of Rome, with the first documented usage of the word appearing in 13th-century European manuscripts.

    At its core, art is deeply subjective: while it carries the unique perspective of its creator, every viewer brings their own lived experience to interpreting the work, creating an endless spectrum of meaning. Beyond individual interpretation, art serves as a powerful intergenerational and cross-cultural bridge, capable of connecting people from divergent ethnic, religious, and social backgrounds. As the iconic Renaissance sculptor Michelangelo once observed, every beautiful work perceived by those with awareness of creativity echoes the celestial source that unites all humanity.

    For many people, first formal encounters with art happen in high school, where it is often sidelined as a non-essential subject. But educator and social commentator Wayne Campbell argues that arts integration deserves far more institutional and governmental investment, pointing to the growing adoption of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, Mathematics) education as a critical step forward. Unlike traditional siloed learning models, STEAM uses creative expression as a gateway to student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking, with documented benefits ranging from improved reading comprehension to sharper cognitive function.

    The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has long recognized the global public value of art. In 2019, UNESCO formally proclaimed April 15 as World Art Day, a global observance designed to boost access to creative expression, celebrate the diverse contributions of artists, and leverage art as a tool for sustainable development and peacebuilding. The date itself was chosen to honor Leonardo da Vinci, who the organization frames as a global symbol of free expression, tolerance, and cross-cultural brotherhood.

    Each year, World Art Day serves three core purposes: to strengthen the ties between artistic creation and broader society, to raise public awareness of the diversity of artistic practices around the world, and to shine a spotlight on the importance of arts education in building inclusive, equitable learning environments. For 2026, the global observance has adopted the theme “A Garden of Expression: Cultivating Community Through Art.” The metaphor is intentional: just as a garden thrives when tended collectively, art flourishes when communities come together to create, share, and nurture creative practice, building connection, unity, and shared belonging among diverse groups.

    UNESCO emphasizes that art’s unique ability to nurture creativity, innovation, and cultural diversity makes it an essential driver of global dialogue, curiosity, and knowledge sharing. When societies protect artistic freedom and support creative spaces, they lay the groundwork for more open, free, and peaceful global communities.

    Celebrating World Art Day is accessible to everyone, from established professional artists to casual enthusiasts who have never picked up a paintbrush. One of the most straightforward ways to mark the occasion is to visit local galleries, museums, or pop-up art exhibitions; many cultural institutions host special events or offer discounted admission to mark the observance. For those who prefer hands-on engagement, the day is the perfect opportunity to experiment with a new creative medium – whether that’s painting, drawing, sculpting, photography, or any other form that sparks curiosity. Local art studios and community centers also frequently host free or low-cost workshops for World Art Day, giving attendees the chance to learn new skills, refine existing techniques, and connect with other creative people in their local area.

    As pioneering American artist Georgia O’Keeffe once put it: “I found I could say things with colour and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way — things I had no words for.” That unique power of expression, accessible to all, is what World Art Day exists to celebrate and amplify.

    *This opinion piece is contributed by Wayne Campbell, an educator and social commentator focused on development policy’s intersections with culture and gender issues. NOW Grenada does not take responsibility for contributor statements or opinions, and invites users to report abusive content via official channels.*