Buckleys Primary Students Claim Top Prizes as Ocean Mural Unveiled on World Ocean Day

Two young artists from Buckleys Primary School have had their creativity immortalised on a public wall after claiming the top honours in a national art competition that culminated in the unveiling of a stunning ocean-themed mural on World Ocean Day.

The Department of the Blue Economy marked World Ocean Day on Monday by unveiling the mural and hosting an awards ceremony celebrating creativity and marine stewardship, as part of the country's observance of World Ocean Month 2026.

The Winners

Kaylee Gore of Buckleys Primary took the overall prize, while schoolmate Faith Bennett placed first. Destiny Grant of Tabernacle Academy finished second and Nacasia Ralph of JT Ambrose was third. The competition invited children aged seven to eleven to share their vision of the ocean for a chance to see their artwork brought to life on the mural wall.

Fifty Entries, Seven Schools

Acting Director of the Department of the Blue Economy, Ann Louise Hill, said the response exceeded expectations. "In all, approximately 50 entries were received and seven schools took part," Hill said, adding that all the entries were creative and reflected the talent of the nation's youth.

Hill said the contest also aimed to build interest in the ocean and the blue economy from an early age, noting that World Ocean Day serves as a timely reminder of the ocean's contributions to human well-being, climate regulation, and biodiversity.

Creative Freedom — Including AI

Acting Senior Policy and Operations Manager Marver Woodley delivered the feature address and explained how the mural took shape, saying organisers built the concept around three pillars — economic, social, and environmental. Students were given full creative freedom in producing their work. "We told them they could use AI if they would like. They are able to use paint, markers, crayons, even black and white. We did not limit them whatsoever," Woodley said.

Woodley said the winning entry captured the day's theme by depicting the ocean's past, present, and a possible conservation-focused future. She also confirmed that several non-winning designs would be used to illustrate an upcoming book series, and that the department had visited every public school across Antigua and Barbuda to encourage participation.

Art as Voice

The ceremony drew a thoughtful address from the education sector on the deeper significance of the initiative.

Education Officer for Visual Arts within the Ministry of Education, Bernard Peters, said art gives quiet children a powerful voice. "The visual arts bring our silence to life. They are children who are quiet and reserved, but we have no idea of the worlds that are being created within their minds," Peters stated. He said visual arts form an integral part of national identity and called for a national curriculum in the discipline.

Head Communications Officer within the Ministry of Agriculture, Carol-Fay Bynoe-George, provided an overview of the judging process, advising young competitors to research the theme of any contest and to pay close attention to visual impact and message clarity.

An Annual Tradition in the Making

The ceremony was attended by Minister of State within the Ministry of Agriculture Randy Baltimore, along with Senators Shaquan O'Neal and Jonathan Wehner, ministry officials, CARICOM Youth Ambassadors, teachers, and students.

The Department of the Blue Economy said it intends to make the competition an annual fixture and encouraged the public to follow the rest of its World Ocean Month activities.

The event, held under the World Ocean Month theme "Catalysing Action for our Ocean and Climate," served as a vivid reminder that the next generation of ocean stewards is already here — and already painting the future they want to see.