We’re thrilled to introduce a brand-new recognition system as part of our Spring Members Show! We celebrating select works that stood out for meeting specific criteria across a variety of creative achievements.
Congratulations to the artists whose works have been selected! Each of these pieces impressed us in unique ways, and we’re excited to shine a spotlight on them.
✨ Over the next few weeks, we’ll be highlighting each winning artist and their work—so stay tuned to learn more about these incredible creations and the talented individuals behind them!
Thank you to all our members for making this show such a vibrant and inspiring experience!
BEST INTERPRETATION OF THEME
WINNER: Katryn Smith – Dendrobium Phaethon Lepturus
In a breathtakingly literal—and yet deeply poetic—realization of Roots & Wings, Katryn’s three-dimensional installation captivated us from every angle. Her vision takes flight in the form of Bermuda’s iconic longtail birds, their graceful silhouettes emerging not merely as symbols of freedom, but as blossoming forms, sprouting from verdant stems that anchor into an intricate root system below.
The piece seamlessly weaves natural symbolism with cultural identity, merging the ethereal with the earthly. The longtails, elevated above us in the open air, hover just where they belong—aloft in the sky, inviting us to crane our necks and spirits upwards. Beneath them, the green stems and roots ground the work in a sense of place and belonging, echoing the duality at the heart of the theme.
What made this piece truly unforgettable was its immersive quality. As a full 360° installation, viewers were invited to walk entirely around it—experiencing the dynamic between groundedness and ascent from every perspective. This physical interaction deepened our emotional response, offering a quiet, contemplative space where movement and meaning could intertwine.
Katryn’s work stands as a luminous example of what it means to interpret a theme with imagination, sensitivity, and craftsmanship. It is a reminder that even the most literal interpretation, when done with care and vision, can lift us into entirely new ways of seeing.
Runner Up: Bryce Pantry – Rebirth
Where many sought clarity in the theme, Bryce chose mystery—venturing into a whimsical and fantastical world where the ideas of grounding and growth, flight and freedom, unfolded in an entirely unexpected way. His interpretation was, without a doubt, the most unique among the submissions, sparking conversation and curiosity with every glance.
At first whimsical and playful, the piece invited us to linger—and the longer we looked, the more layers emerged. Beneath its bright palette and fantastical elements lay a rich undercurrent of narrative, exploring the origin of inspiration and the forces that tether and propel us. In dissecting its details, we found a deep emotional resonance hidden behind its charm, showing us that fantasy, too, can hold profound truth.
Bryce’s work reminded us that Roots & Wings is not only about physical form, but about imagination’s power to take flight from the firm soil of experience. His vision exemplified the bold, boundless reach of inspiration—how far it can stretch when nourished, and how wondrously it can soar.
MOST THOUGHT PROVOKING
Winner: Dr. Edwin Smith – UK Bound , Remember Me
Dr. Smiths work stands as a quiet but powerful meditation—one that invites viewers to pause, reflect, and reframe their understanding of identity, migration, and memory.
In his striking piece, Dr. Smith elevates the often-overlooked pawpaw tree to a symbol of cultural and historical resonance. More than a fruit-bearing plant, the pawpaw becomes a living testament to Bermuda’s early colonial past, its resilience, and the quiet endurance of Black Bermudians through centuries of change.
Introduced to Bermuda in 1616 alongside the arrival of the first enslaved Africans, the pawpaw tree has become deeply rooted in the island’s landscape—both literally and symbolically. It has nourished bodies, healed wounds, and shaped the island’s lush, inviting aesthetic. Yet its origins and the deeper truths it represents are often forgotten. In reclaiming this symbol, Dr. Smith repositions the pawpaw as not just a botanical presence, but as a bearer of legacy—an icon worthy of remembrance.
His work also poses a poignant and timely question: What does it mean when those whose roots run deepest begin to leave? With increasing numbers of Bermudians relocating—particularly to the United Kingdom—Dr. Smith draws a compelling parallel. Is today’s migration a new kind of “UK-bound” journey? Is the strength and resilience that has sustained generations beginning to wane?
Through understated symbolism and rich historical context, Dr. Smith’s pieces challenges us to reconsider what we value, what we remember, and what we are at risk of losing. In the humble pawpaw tree, he uncovers an entire lineage of survival, adaptation, and quiet resistance—inviting us to ask how much of that story remains rooted, and how much has already taken wing.
BEST EMERGING ARTIST
WINNER: Shawn Stovell
We are proud to present Shawn Stovell with the Best Emerging Artist award—an honor reserved for a standout piece from a first-time exhibitor or a rising talent. Shawn’s debut in the gallery has been nothing short of remarkable, and we’re thrilled to welcome his bold and distinctive voice to the show.
Shawn brings with him a fresh visual language—one that skillfully bridges material, memory, and cultural identity. In his striking piece, he weaves together fragments of Bermudian roofing material with symbols of the African diaspora, creating a textured, layered work that feels both grounded in place and expansive in meaning.
The architectural references anchor the piece in local tradition, while the diasporic elements reach across oceans and time, speaking to shared histories, migrations, and inherited resilience. The juxtaposition is compelling—evoking both the shelter of home and the far-reaching echoes of ancestral journeys.
What stands out most is Shawn’s ability to root his vision in materiality. He doesn’t just reference history; he builds with it. His piece feels like a conversation between generations—a structure shaped not just by hands, but by heritage.
We’re excited to follow Shawn’s artistic journey and look forward to seeing how his voice continues to evolve. For now, we celebrate the arrival of a bold new presence—an artist who is both grounded and reaching, much like the theme itself.
BOLDEST USE OF COLOUR
RUNNER UP: Wayne Trott – Up And Away
We’re delighted to recognize Wayne Trott as the Runner-Up in the Boldest Use of Colour category for his joyful and energetic piece that bursts with life and luminosity.
Wayne’s bold, vibrant colour choices immediately command attention—radiating with a sense of movement, spontaneity, and delight. The palette is as playful as the scene it captures: children in their school gym uniforms, bouncing on brightly coloured bouncy balls, their hair catching the air as they spring forward with exuberance and momentum.
The colours don’t merely illustrate the scene—they amplify it. Every shade feels carefully chosen to reflect the uninhibited spirit of childhood, and the uncontainable joy of motion and play. The piece is a celebration of youth itself—full of energy, lightness, and the carefree brightness of early life.
What we found especially striking was how the colour served not just an aesthetic purpose, but a narrative one. The vibrancy mirrors the vitality of the young subjects, creating an emotional resonance that lingers well after the first glance.
Wayne’s fearless use of colour reminds us that sometimes, the most powerful stories are told in the most exuberant hues.
CRITICS CHOICE / MOST CAPTIVATING BOLDEST USE OF COLOUR
WINNER: Nahshon Hollis – The Way We Grow
Boldest Use of Colour
Nahshon’s stunning use of vibrant blues and greens mirrors the unmistakable hues of Bermuda’s clear skies and lush foliage. The color choices evoke a sense of immediate familiarity—deeply rooted in place, yet elevated through painterly precision. These tones reach across the gallery space, catching the eye from every angle and inviting closer study. But beyond the palette, it is the subtle treatment of the nuances of Black skin—with expert understanding of light, value, and contrast—that brings the work to life. The result is a visual depth so tangible, it seems to breathe, anchoring the viewer in a shared reality that is both personal and universal.
Most Captivating
This is the piece everyone is talking about. Gallery visitors continually return to it, drawn in by its magnetic realism and emotional resonance. Patrons speak with awe of the artist’s technical skill—how the brushwork vanishes beneath the illusion of flesh, fabric, and atmosphere. The work doesn’t just hold your gaze—it invites it, offering new details each time you look. It lingers in memory, not just for its beauty, but for the quiet power with which it speaks.
Curator’s Choice
Nahshon Hollis’s work stands as a radiant culmination of everything this exhibition seeks to celebrate, melding conceptual depth, emotional resonance, technical mastery, and cultural relevance into a single, cohesive vision.
At its core, the piece invites thoughtful reflection, offering layers of meaning that unfold with time. Its emotional pull is immediate and profound, drawing viewers in with quiet intensity and leaving a lasting impression. From a technical standpoint, the level of realism achieved is nothing short of exceptional—each brushstroke disappearing into form, light, and shadow that breathe life into the canvas.
An older woman stands in a flowing navy blue top with delicate white embroidery and a long white skirt, her posture graceful yet firm, suggesting wisdom, strength, and rootedness. Her gold jewelry—an elegant watch, earrings, and a ring—add layers of dignity to her figure. She gestures with her hands as though sharing knowledge, perhaps stories or teachings passed down through generations. Her presence embodies the roots of the painting—anchored in history, culture, and identity.
The two young girls, dressed in matching vibrant blue dresses with white puff-sleeve blouses and aprons, stand close together, their posture attentive and eager. One has her hair in braids, and both sport blue ribbons tied in their hair, representing youthful innocence and unity. The girls’ bright blue outfits suggest the wings of the painting—hope, potential, and the endless possibilities that lie ahead. Their upward gaze toward the older woman and the palm tree behind them signifies a sense of looking toward the future, towards the wisdom that will guide them as they grow. They are both deeply connected to the older woman’s stories, yet they are poised to soar into the world, much like the wings of the palm fronds reaching upward into the bright sky.
Behind them, the towering palm tree stands as a central symbol of both the roots and wings concept. The thick green trunk, textured with carvings or sculptural details, suggests a deep connection to the earth and history, a foundation from which the fronds stretch upward. The fronds, with their broad, lush leaves, act as a natural metaphor for wings—open, expansive, and reaching toward the heavens. This balance between the grounded trunk and the upward-reaching fronds encapsulates the theme perfectly: the need to be rooted in one’s heritage while simultaneously striving for growth, freedom, and exploration.
These girls, youthful and still forming their understanding of the world, are grounded in the present but drawn toward something greater. The invisible presence they look to could be interpreted as a guiding figure, an ancestral memory, or the promise of what’s to come. In them, we see the roots of identity and heritage—and in their lifted eyes, the beginnings of flight.
But what truly sets the work apart is how harmoniously these elements come together. The piece does not simply depict—it communicates. It speaks to the human experience with nuance and reverence, anchoring itself in personal and collective memory, while also gesturing toward hope, aspiration, and freedom. It is both grounded and soaring—rooted in identity, history, and place, while simultaneously reaching outward into the realms of imagination and possibility.
This is a work that embodies the spirit of the Spring Members Show in full. It reflects where we’ve come from, who we are, and suggests the paths we might yet follow. In honoring Nahshon Hollis with the Curator’s Choice, we celebrate not only a single outstanding artwork, but the kind of bold, insightful, and transformative creativity that this exhibition was built to uplift.