On Saturday, the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts on St. Thomas will transform into something far more than a traditional gallery. From 5 to 10 p.m., “Prolific V: The Lost Gallery,” presented by Eliana B. Artistry, will offer an immersive fusion of visual art, music, and interactive technology, celebrating local creative talent in honor of the council’s 60th Anniversary Jubilee.
According to Eliana L. Schuster-Brown, the St. Croix native, Air Force veteran, and multidimensional creative behind the event, this is not a passive experience. “From the moment you walk in, you’re not just observing, you’re participating,” Schuster-Brown said.
Attendees can expect interactive installations where guests are invited to create, reflect, and leave a piece of themselves behind. Augmented reality elements will bring certain artworks to life, extending pieces literally beyond the canvas.
One of the night’s most anticipated features is an original animation, coproduced by Schuster-Brown and producer/animator Kirk Rojas, which will be shown only on opening night. The sensory journey continues with original soundscapes by AJ Ventura, who guides the room through the evolution of calypso across the years. “The energy is intentional. The music, the visuals, the layout are all curated to feel like a journey. By the end of the night my goals is for people to feel inspired, seen, and creatively awakened,” Schuster-Brown said.
The artists featured in “Prolific V” were selected not just for talent, but for their ability to tell meaningful stories and connect with people through their work. Kirk “Remedii” Rojas bridges traditional art and technology through animation, while Schuster-Brown’s own mentors, Lucien Downes and Elwin Joseph, are included as a tribute to those who believed in her early on. Cross-territorial talent includes artists Indira Lovely, Chunikwa George, and Amy Gibbs. Newly added to the lineup is Kanda Burges, selected for her beautiful and unique tufted artwork as Schuster-Brown puts it, “She paints with yarn, and it’s stunning.
Schuster-Brown’s own work is rooted in storytelling, especially around femininity, identity, growth, and transformation through a Caribbean lens. She primarily works with acrylics as a mixed-media visual artist, but for this exhibition, she has expanded into interactive elements, including an augmented reality experience directly connected to her artwork. The AR component represents a life cycle, starting from childhood and moving through adolescence, young adulthood, and full adulthood, while also touching on family dynamics and moments of reflection. “What I wanted to do was go beyond creating something visual. Viewers aren’t just looking at the work, they’re stepping into the story and moving through those stages with me,” Schuster-Brown said.
The exhibition will remain open for public viewing for two weeks afterward, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Long-term, “Prolific V” is evolving into a traveling experience. “I want to take this concept beyond St. Thomas and into other Caribbean islands, and eventually internationally. I’m so happy VICA took a chance on me and was the first to see the vision. Prolific is not just an exhibition, it’s a platform. A space for artists to be seen, for community to engage, and for creativity to be experienced in a more immersive and meaningful way,” Schuster-Brown said.
All artwork is for sale, with payment plans up to 12 months available. General admission tickets are $25 and available on Eventbrite. The event takes place at the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts, located at 5070 Norre Gade, St. Thomas, on Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m.
“Come ready to experience, not just observe. Because this isn’t just something you see, it’s something you feel,” Schuster-Brown said.
