Caption: Cover image – Well Muddasick by Kachelle Knowles

Bahamians have a unique way of expressing themselves, with a colorful vocabulary replete with words, idioms and adages to suit every occasion.

In 2013, as The Bahamas commemorates its 40th anniversary of independence, Colina Insurance Limited’s annual calendar, “Celebrating 40 years of Independence and Expression”, will celebrate Bahamian colloquialisms as a key aspect of culture.

The calendar is a fun look at “Bahamianese” interpreted and illustrated by artists affiliated with the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (NAGB).

Colina launched the 2013 calendar on Thursday at the NAGB with a showing and silent auction of the original calendar artwork. The “Expressions” art show runs at the NAGB through January 12, 2013.

“The calendar celebrates Bahamian culture by taking the viewers on a colorful year-long journey through beautiful and entertaining renderings of our most popular idiomatic expressions,” says Colina’s Corporate Communications Officer Melanie Hutcheson.

“We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with so many talented artists on this project. Their diverse and thought-provoking interpretations of what many might consider everyday dialect make me very excited about investing in the future of the arts in The Bahamas.”

“Expressions” features artwork from 13 artists based in New Providence and the Family Islands and was curated by the NAGB.

“We are thrilled to be part of this calendar project,” says NAGB Director Amanda Coulson. “As incoming director, one of my main objectives is to reach out to the broader Bahamian public and put our art and culture at the forefront of public awareness.

The collaboration with Colina is a wonderful partnership that will allow the NAGB to do this.”

Divin’ Conch – Dylan Rapillard

This venture is the fifth concept calendar for Colina, and a follow-up to 2012’s “Rising Young Stars of Sports”, which highlighted notable young Bahamian athletes in sporting disciplines as varied as track and field, swimming, judo and equestrianism.

The company’s 2011 calendar, “The Art of Charity”, which featured local charitable and service organizations, raised $8,000 for charity and earned the company a Silver Quill Award in Publication Design from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), the voice of the global communications industry.

The Nassau Guardian
Published: Saturday December 15, 2012