COMMISSION FOR McDONALD’S PALMDALE RESTAURANT
Wonderful news! JTS has been commissioned to produced tile murals fro McDonald’s Palmdale Restaurant. It all started ack in 2010, JTS was approached by DanBrad Limited, owners of the McDonald’s franchise on the island, regarding the possibility of creating some unique tile murals for the interior of their downtown Nassau branch. They were renovating and wanted to give that restaurant a more modern look with a Bahamian appeal. It was suggested that the theme be reflective of our culture with a Junkanoo twist.

Once my initial designs were approved, JTS was commissioned to produce seven wall hangings / tile murals, as permanent features for the lobby and the upper floor dining area of McDonald’s Downtown. This project took JTS right into 2011 when the final two pieces, Junkanoo Beller and Junkanoo Bakori, were completed and finally installed.

In the Fall of 2011 DanBrad Ltd. requested JTS to began creating a nautical theme of tile wall hangings for the McDonald’s Palmdale branch, once again, to create a modern look and bring Bahamian aesthetics to the ambiance of the restaurant. Keeping in mind that the restaurant is frequented by schoolchildren and business people, the idea was to focus, with lots of vibrant colours, on the beauty of the Bahamian waters and the need for conservation of our marine resources, such as the grouper, crawfish and our turtles. These murals were completed and the final installation was made in February 2012.

The beautiful and proficient construction work carried out by Aaron Thompson’s construction company, as well as the sassy and modern décor of the architect Dwight Thompson, made it easy for a local artist like me to just garnish the ambience with my bright and colourful artwork. All Bahamian, all world class from start to finish, the project was a rare opportunity and privilege to participate in enhancing this branch of an international franchise restaurant! I invite everyone to go and visit the Palmdale and Downtown restaurants , not only take a look at the work, but also to support McDonald’s, which has proven to be a fair and generous community patron. During these difficult economic times, this company has invested in keeping lots of Bahamians employed and busy.

From an artist’s prospective, the McDonald projects symbolize so many things. They have broken down quite a few barriers and hopefully will spur other local businesses to think more creatively and to think Bahamian. Bahamian art being used for public spaces is nothing new, but the work is now being associated with an international brand. McDonald’s Palmdale and Downtown restaurants are now like little art galleries presenting Bahamian ceramic art to the world. Having the work in these restaurants that thousands of Bahamians and tourists patronize will expose Bahamian art to people of all ages, political, ethnic and social backgrounds. I have been contacted by several times in 2011 from interested visitors regarding the tile wall hangings. Some have led to international business and others have led to great friendships. This is one example of art and cultural tourism!

THE LYNDEN PINDLING AIRPORT ART GALLERY
Once again I have been chosen by the Nassau Airport Development Committee to exhibit a small body of my ceramic sculptures in the Gallery space in the Lynden Pindling International Airport. This year I decided to exhibit my Ripple Turtle series as well as JTS Botanical wall tiles.

Photos by Peter Ramsey, BIS

THE ROYAL VISIT
Reminiscing back to 1994 during my first public exhibition with Nadine Seymour (Munroe) “Femme Fatales” Dr. Agreta Eneas-Carey made the decision to encourage a young, eager artist by purchasing a very warped tile. It was my very first tile / wall hanging that depicted a native palm tree and a wooden house. I thought it was awesome, but really it was filled with every novice flaw imaginable. Still she made that investment of encouragement and it has definitely paid off.
I also reflect back to the Spring of 1998 when I met Mr. Jose Gomez for the first time; an intuitive, energetic and passionate mentor, businessman and father figure.
Mr. Gomez had made an enquiry to Mrs. Judy Munroe regarding the tile artist that exhibited at the Central Bank Of the Bahamas in the summer of 1997, as he was interested in meeting the person that created the tile wall hangings. Part of his interest was that his father was the first tile manufacturer in the Bahamas.
I met with Mr. Gomez and he generously invited me to attend a Tile Convention in the United States; to expose me to the international tile companies and art tile studios. It was indeed an eye opener and the exposure helped to broaden my understanding of what was being produced in the commercial tile arena as well as inspired me to keep working as a small creative art tile manufacturer.
This in no way mitigates the support I have received from other persons and organizations, however, it was Mr. Jose Gomez and Dr. Agreta Eneas-Carey that have fueled the drive in me to want to continue and perfect my skill in tile making.

Fast forward to present day and it is quite an honor that a piece of my artwork, a tile wall hanging, was selected by the Prime Minister’s Office to be given as a gift for HRH Prince Henry Charles Albert David (Harry) of Wales. In addition, JTS was selected in the Fall of 2011 to create a 24” square tile with the Governor General of the Bahamas Crest. This tile was placed in the foyer / entrance to Government House and was placed there just in time before the Royal Visit.

This is just one example that signifies the importance of encouraging and speaking life into a persons dream or passion.