Haldane Davies was officially named director of the V.I. Economic Research Bureau Monday by Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., ending nearly four years of acting leadership at the agency. (Photo courtesy Government House)
For nearly the past four years, the V.I. Economic Research Bureau has operated under acting leadership, but that changed Monday when Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. named Haldane Davies as its new director.
A former University of the Virgin Islands executive and the most recent president of the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean in Jamaica, Davies brings a mix of academic, administrative, and economic development experience to the role, according to Bryan. He spent 16 years at UVI, including eight as vice president for Business Development and Innovation, and was elected to the board of the International Economic Development Council in 2020.
Beginning in 2022, Davies also chaired the V.I. Public Officials Compensation Commission, which drew public criticism earlier this year after recommending nearly $200,000 in salary hikes for senior government officials. The raises quietly took effect Jan. 1 — two years after the commission’s report was due — and were revealed days later,sparking backlash from lawmakers and residents.
He replaces Bernesha Liburd, who had served as acting director since former Sen. Allison DeGazon stepped down from the role.
On Monday, Bryan called Davies an accomplished public servant, educator and policy strategist with decades of service to the U.S. Virgin Islands and broader Caribbean. He noted having a long personal and professional relationship with Davies dating back to their time on the EDA board in the late aughts.
“His expertise in economics, institutional development and strategic planning is both comprehensive and proven in every role he has held. Dr. Davies has brought clarity of vision, a steady hand and unwavering commitment to public progress at a time when our territory faces both immense economic uncertainty and transformative opportunity,” he said before thanking outgoing director Liburd and lauding her work at BER.
Taking the lectern, Davies said he was honored and privileged to be home again.
“Being able to continue to contribute to our economic growth and development and our well-being is something that I’m focused on,” he said, thanking Bryan for the opportunity. “We believe that the territory has a lot of potential — in growth, a vision for the future — and as a result, together we will work with all partners, not only through the Bureau of Economic Research, but also through the USVI Economic Development Authority, the Department of Labor and all other government and intergovernment agencies to advance the cause of economic development.”
Bryan also used Monday’s briefing to announce the disbursement of $22.5 million in retroactive wages, which the 36th Legislature authorized last month by loosening restrictions on funds the territory received from Jeffrey Epstein-related settlements. Bryan said the approximately 2,000 who are owed $2,500 or less will be paid in full, and people who are owed more than that will receive a payment of 14 percent of their total balance.
The administration also issued $5 million in tax refunds to 1,700 taxpayers last week.
“I want to make clear that if we hadn’t been paying retro, we would have been current on all taxes to date,” Bryan said.
Bryan capped off his prepared remarks by announcing that the government had signed and executed a contract for the St. Croix Central High School demolition and touting other milestones like the upcoming christening of the Spirit of 1733 — the new ferry servicing Red Hook and Cruz Bay — and a ribbon-cutting for a solar array on St. Croix.
Asked by the Source Monday about reports of St. Croix’s last remaining Kmart closing, Bryan countered with a question.
“You think when Kmart closed in New York, they were looking for — the governor of New York was looking for who’s going to come next,” he asked, before acknowledging that he was disappointed for the store workers who are slated to lose their jobs. “I think it’s a clarion call to all of us that … big box retail — and retail on a whole — is on a decline nationally. We seem to think that we live in a special world here in the Virgin Islands.”
“On the bright side,” he added, “I understand there’s a local department store that is mimicking what Kmart would offer, and that money will now be staying local rather than going to some corporate place, and they’ll be hiring as well too.”
Bryan said the reality is e-commerce will continue eating away at local commercial activity.
“So now we have to figure out … what are we going to do locally to compensate for that?” he asked. Bryan acknowledged during this year’s Spring Revenue Estimating Conference that retail in the territory is “dying” and called for an internet sales tax to bridge the gap.
Asked later if there are any updates regarding measles, of which there have been multiple outbreaks on the U.S. mainland, Bryan said there are no local cases before lamenting that the media seemed to be looking for “bad news.”
“Let me think about some bad news to tell you: it rained all weekend. We didn’t get to go to the beach — it’s terrible,” he said lightly before reminding Virgin Islanders about the upcoming 2025 hurricane season. Bryan then highlighted developments at the V.I. Energy Office, including an appliance rebate and its solar loan program.
Bryan also fielded questions from a reporter on the White House’s consideration of a U.S. Virgin Islands shipping registry and a viral social media post from former Sen. Nellie O’Reilly, who called on Virgin Islanders living abroad to “please come back home.”
“We need you. We can do this,” she wrote.
The post elicited hundreds of responses from users purporting to be Virgin Islanders who were unwilling to return because of the high cost of living, limited opportunity and infrastructural deficiencies.
“The funny thing is,” Bryan said Monday, “is I never thought of anybody to come home to enjoy the Virgin Islands. We’re asking people to come home to work. We’re asking people to come home and take responsibility in making the Virgin Islands a better place for your auntie, your mommy, your cousin. I mean, what do people think? I mean the people who live here, like we don’t want Instacart and we don’t want to get Uber pick us up and we don’t want to be able to get Amazon arrive four hours later? You think the people here want to pay … high insurance that make it hard to buy a house and then not have credit? No, we don’t want that. But guess what? It’s important for us to build our community rather than build somebody else’s community.”
Bryan said he didn’t work for “anonymous people that I’ll never meet or never know” and that every program the government passes is for the benefit of Virgin Islanders.
“So it’s like you calling from the plantation and saying, ‘you know y’all, we’re gonna need some help down here to get but who to get us free?’ And you’re saying, ‘oh no, it’s too busy up here in the States where it’s nice, I don’t have time for the revolution,’” he said. “The Virgin Islands is going to always be hard — it’s an island. We’re never going to be able to provide every amenity of a Miami or a New York City, but it’s getting better every single day.”
Gabrielle Querrard and Paulina Creque’s Caribbean Mystics is now part of SpectreVision’s expanding paranormal podcast portfolio. (Submitted photo)
Caribbean Mystics has found a new home — and a much bigger stage. The locally created paranormal podcast is now part of a growing slate of shows produced by SpectreVision, a creative studio known for its innovative, genre-defying work in film and audio storytelling.
The move is a turning point for creators Gabrielle Querrard and Paulina Creque, who initially bonded over a shared desire to create something both culturally rooted and creatively ambitious. Their goal wasn’t to tell ghost stories, but rather to build a platform that honored the complexity, beauty, and ancestral significance of Caribbean folklore. Now, as they prepare to launch season four, the podcast is evolving with richer content, a more immersive format, and a deeper commitment to highlighting the lived experiences behind each tale, the pair said in a recent interview with the Source and SpectreVision team.
And, the show’s evolution has also brought a growing awareness of their responsibility as storytellers. Creque and Querrard made the intentional decision early on to include post-story conversations, giving themselves and listeners space to reflect on what each account reveals about identity, legacy, and community. Rather than chase shock value, the team has leaned into nuance and authenticity, sparking dialogue that feels both grounded and transformative. Launched quietly just a few years ago, Caribbean Mystics grew from a desire to reframe how Caribbean supernatural experiences are told and who gets to tell them.
“We wanted something that was educational, that didn’t just sensationalize these stories,” Querrard said. “This is about connection – to place, to community, to ancestry.”
After a year of development, the team launched season one to a response that exceeded expectations. Listeners quickly tuned in and stayed for the long-form format, which blended immersive storytelling with thoughtful cultural commentary. Season two followed with higher production quality and a broader reach, thanks in part to Creque’s audio engineering background and the team’s commitment to constant growth.
That commitment caught the attention of SpectreVision’s Haley Pehrson. An avid listener of paranormal podcasts since childhood, Pehrson said Caribbean Mystic struck a unique chord. “It reminded me of how I felt when I first discovered Jim Harold’s Campfire,” she said. “There was something different and fresh about it. You can feel the community behind it, and that matters.”
SpectreVision cofounder Daniel Noah agreed. “This show punches way above its weight,” he said. “It’s intelligent, sensitive, and incredibly well produced. That’s exactly the kind of work we want to champion.”
Caribbean Mystics now joins an impressive SpectreVision lineup that includes The Haunted Objects Podcast, Knife Point Horror, Mitch Horowitz’s Extraordinary Evidence, Modern Fairy Sightings, and Dave Foley’s Really, with Tom and Dave. Though the full roster of upcoming releases hasn’t yet been revealed, Noah said the company’s goal is to promote thoughtful, global paranormal storytelling, and Caribbean Mystics fits perfectly within that mission.
“We used to go on long hiatuses,” Creque said. “But not anymore.”
With new backing, Caribbean Mystic will now release weekly episodes year-round, along with new storytelling segments still under wraps. The team is also encouraging listeners to contribute their own stories, whether personal encounters or oral traditions passed down through generations. Submissions can be made anonymously at caribbeanmystics.com, and the show, Creque and Querrard said, will maintain its core commitment to being a space where cultural memory, imagination, and community intersect.
“We want to build something that’s for Virgin Islanders, by Virgin Islanders – but also something that welcomes the entire region,” Querrard said. “This podcast proves you can create something meaningful from right here, and that we deserve to take up space in this genre.”
Virgin Islands delegation sits down with representatives of VA Health care systems at an April meeting in Puerto Rico. (Facebook photo)
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include comment from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs press secretary Pete Kasperowicz.
Officials tasked with overseeing benefits for veterans living in the V.I. are looking at ways to ensure the delivery of health care. Concerns over staff reductions at the U.S. Veterans Affairs Department rose in March, with reports that 80,000 VA jobs would be cut nationwide.
To get a better idea of what may lie ahead, Government House announced a delegation led by the V.I. Office of Veterans Affairs would meet with federal officials in Puerto Rico.
As they returned from the late April meeting, some members of the delegation were still uncertain about what to expect. One delegate said they heard officials from VA Caribbean Healthcare mention that up to 900 positions could be eliminated.
Caribbean Healthcare currently employs 3,749 staffers, according to information on VA.gov. Together, they serve the health care needs of roughly 71,000 veterans in Puerto Rico and the USVI.
And some, like Veterans Affairs State Director Patrick Farrell, returned from the meeting determined to get ahead of the changes. “We want to know as the territory, what can we do to provide some type of a continuity in care for our veterans because, of course, the medical, the health of our veterans is very important to us,” Farrell said.
Representatives of Schneider Regional Medical Center and the Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital joined the discussions; St. Croix leaders attended virtually. Sen. Avery Lewis, chair of the 35th Legislature Government Operations, Veterans Affairs and Consumer Protection Committee, joined the V.I. delegation.
“I was glad to be part of the delegation. I went to meet with the officials in Puerto Rico so we can learn more from them about what’s happening at the federal level,” said SRMC Chief Executive Tina Comissiong. The medical center chief said where and when those changes may appear, the V.A. Community Choice Program may help offset some reductions.
Lewis pointed to resources already in place, which may mean some vets may have to travel no farther than St. Croix.
“In the clinic services, we have in both districts, we have the primary care in St. Croix and St. Thomas. We have the telehealth services in only part of St. Thomas. We have the mental health and the nutrition. And in St. Croix … St. Croix they have a cardiology set up for telehealth. And the telehealth services actually have equipment there in case the doctor needs to check your EKG,” Lewis said.
Farrell said he felt reassured by the appearance of David Issacks, a regional director with VA Health care. Isaacks oversees operations at all veterans-linked medical centers in Florida.
And because Isaacks’ ranking in the national network stands over Caribbean regional leaders, Farrell said there is someone who may have greater insights on how to navigate the changes once they appear in the future.
In a statement sent to the Source early Tuesday morning, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs press secretary Pete Kasperowicz said the agency’s goal “is to increase productivity, eliminate waste and bureaucracy, increase efficiency, and improve health care and benefits to Veterans,” all without making cuts to health care or benefits to Veterans or VA beneficiaries.
“We’re conducting a comprehensive, data-driven review of all agencies and processes within the department with the goal of fixing the problems that have kept VA on the Government Accountability Office’s high-risk list since 2015,” said Kasperowicz.
“We’re going to maintain VA’s mission-essential jobs like doctors, nurses and claims processors, while phasing out non-mission essential roles like [Diversity, Equity and Inclusion] officers. The savings we achieve will be redirected to Veteran health care and benefits,” he said.
“Our goal is to reduce the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) positions to 2019 levels — roughly 398,000 employees — down from roughly 470,000 employees currently, which is about a 15 percent decrease. But those staff changes have not happened yet.”
Students in grades nine through 12 will have the opportunity to participate in the VI Bar Association’s annual Moot Court Competition. (Shutterstock image)
A fundraising art auction hosted by Mango Tango Gallery on St. Thomas is helping fund scholarships and travel for Virgin Islands high school students participating in the annual Moot Court Competition, organized by the Virgin Islands Bar Foundation. The auction ends Saturday, May 24.
For the past 49 days, the gallery has showcased vibrant artwork created by local island artists. Each piece is available for purchase through the auction, with 100 percent of the proceeds going toward the Moot Court program’s expenses.
The program offers students in grades nine through 12 the opportunity to engage in a two-day mock trial of judicial proceedings, arguing both sides of a fictional case before a panel of sitting judges. Volunteer attorneys and teachers guide students through the monthslong preparation process.
“Our goal is to give kids here a real taste of the judicial system … [while also] fostering closer relations and understanding between students and the courts,” said Adam Thorp, Moot Court coordinator. “They learn how to absorb huge amounts of information, organize their thoughts logically, and present them in a persuasive way — skills that reach far beyond law.”
This year’s competition includes approximately 45 students from six schools — three on St. Thomas and three on St. Croix. According to Thorp, the students develop critical skills through their participation.
“It’s remarkable what these students walk away with … most come in terrified of public speaking, but over the three to five months we work with them, they gain confidence and the ability to think for themselves … It’s an opportunity for young adults to become more confident, and that’s invaluable,” Thorp said.
The Virgin Islands Bar Foundation is a nonprofit organization, and its Moot Court Competition relies heavily on private donations and fundraising efforts. Proceeds from the Mango Tango auction help cover essential costs, including interisland travel, research materials, and scholarships awarded to standout participants. In 2024, the foundation raised $26,000 for the program.
“The parents I have talked to have said that the money really does make a difference,” Thorp said.
Bidding for the Mango Tango art-auction fundraiser remains open through May 24. All net proceeds go directly to support the Moot Court Competition. Supporters may also contribute at any time by donating directly through the Virgin Islands Bar Foundation’s website.
Police tracked down a stolen safari truck Monday morning, six days after the brightly painted vehicle roamed away from its rightful owner. (Photo courtesy VIPD)
Police tracked down the huge red-and-orange safari truck Monday morning that had been missing for nearly a week.
The brightly painted 22-seat vehicle was stolen in the early morning hours of May 13 near the Sugar Estate post office on Alton Adams Sr. Drive, St. Thomas, according to a Virgin Islands Police Department spokesperson.
The theft was seemingly more than a joyride, police said. The enormous open-sided truck was allegedly used in another crime in the Subbase area, according to a community alert post issued by VIPD. Police did not elaborate on the nature of the crime, nor where the safari was eventually found. No arrests had been made as of Monday evening.
A rendering of the new two-story office building that the St. Thomas Federal Credit Union is proposing to build on a two-acre parcel just south of the Omar Brown Sr. Fire Station on St. Thomas. (Image courtesy St. Thomas Federal Credit Union)
If all goes to plan, the St. Thomas Federal Credit Union will be breaking ground on a new two-story, 10,000-square-foot operations center on a two-acre parcel of land just south of the Omar Brown Sr. Fire Station, according to a zoning hearing Monday for the proposed development.
The credit union, which was chartered in 1952 and has served the community for 73 years, is currently located in the historic district at 5027 Norre Gade — the Allen A. Canton Building — which has restricted the company’s ability to expand, CEO Keisha Richards told members of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources’ Division of Comprehensive and Coastal Zone Planning.
Monday’s hearing was held to request a zoning change from R-3 (residential-medium density) to B-1 (business-central business district) at the new site, Parcel No. 100-1C Estate Taarneberg, Kings Quarter, St. Thomas. The two-acre lot, located beside the fire station and across the street from Barbel Plaza, was the former site of the Warren E. Brown housing community that was destroyed by Hurricane Hugo in 1989. All that remains on the property are two cisterns and a utility shed, said Richards. Previous studies have found no cultural or historical resources, endangered plants and animals, or flood issues, she said.
The move “has been in the pipeline for quite some time” Richards said, and required approval by the National Credit Union Administration, the body responsible for regulating federal credit unions, insuring deposits, and protecting members of credit unions.
The new location will allow the credit union to offer new products and services that its current space cannot, as well as ample parking, drive-through options and ATMs along with walk-in services, said Richards. A smaller one-story building that will be built atop one of the existing cisterns will serve as a conference center and training space, she said.
This two-acre parcel of land just south of the Omar Brown Sr. Fire Station on William G. Lewis Lane is the proposed new home of the St. Thomas Federal Credit Union. (Image courtesy St. Thomas Federal Credit Union)
Additionally, a new, larger building will bring more jobs, said Richards. The credit union currently employs 23 people but would hope to add anywhere from 12 to 27 more, she said.
Because St. Thomas Federal Credit Union is a nonprofit the buildings are required to be used solely for its business, said Richards. If approved, the project will advance in two phases, the first being the main building, which will take about 24 months from shovels in the ground to completion. The conference center will follow, with a time frame of about 18 months, she said. The company’s current building will be put up for sale once it’s no longer needed.
“We did have some challenges and hurdles to get to this benchmark point,” Richards said in closing. “Not only have we had to go through the regulatory process with the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, but we also had to go through a regulatory process with our examiners, which is the National Credit Union Administration, to be able to get to this point. … This project went through a lot of enhanced due diligence on several levels, and I just want to be able to say thank you — thank you to the community for supporting us for the last 73 years and giving us the opportunity to offer the products and services that we can and also for supporting us through this journey of this new operational facility. Thank you to all the parties involved, and we look forward to a favorable response.”
Following Monday’s hearing, the Division of Comprehensive and Coastal Zone Planning will prepare a recommendation report within 30 days that will go to the Legislature. Senators will then meet in the Committee of the Whole for a public hearing on the project, after which they will meet in session to vote on the proposal.
Public comments on the project will be accepted until Sunday, May 25, via email to Territorial Planner Leia LaPlace at leia.laplace@dpnr.vi.gov.
With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Eugenie A. England, who passed on May 5, 2025.
Eugenie A. England
She is survived by her CHILDREN: Michael Richards, Milton E. England Jr. Clyde B. Milliner, Dale Donovan; DAUGHTER: Dora N. Reyes, Maureen Jackson; SISTER: Louise Beckett; GRANDCHILDREN: Milton E. England Jr, Doris E. England, Onyxx M. Jenkins. Janalia Diaz, Janella Gonzalez, Akil, Akeem & Akoy Farrell, Jermaine, Nisha, Kahreem, Laquan England, Jamel Lawrence, Jermaine & Daute Richards, Tresylain Mayers, Jevon Gerald, Lucien England Jr; GODCHILDREN: Sylvia Thomas, Celeste & Shanise Potter, Rea Rhymer; NIECES and NEPHEWS: Linda Brown, Patricia Griffith, Judith Griffith, Princess Griffith, Faye Brown, Harold Beckett, Lorraine Thomas, Mervin Beckett, Nicole Smith, Corise Krigger, Herlene Steele, Yvonne Phillips, Eva W. Lewis, Evis Lake, Janelle Gumbs, Casandra Roumo, Erena Sasso, Kim Troy, Virgil, Harold, Aubrey, Bruce,& Ricky Roumo, Elmo, Duane, Julien Daryle Adams, Desiree Smith-Martin, Derrick Greaves Sr., Darryl Smith, Stephanie Best, Steve Sylvester Sr., Dwayne Farrington, Evan Lake.
SPECIAL LOVE ONES & CARE GIVERS: Valerie Jenkins, Dumyl Henley.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the first viewing on Wednesday, June 4, at Turnbull’s Funeral Home from 4 to 6 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 5, at Holy Family church; viewing will begin at 9 a.m., followed by the service at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Western cemetery #1
We regret to announce the death of Anton Victor Leonard of Carrot Bay, Tortola, BVI, who passed away on Monday, 5 May, 2025 at the age of 87.
Anton Victor Leonard
He is survived by: Brother Malcolm Leonard Sister Christine Smith Brother-in-Law Leando Smith Sisters-in-Law Joyce Leonard Olive Leonard Nephews Atlee, Vernly, Benly, Perry, Paul, and Pete Smith. Luton, and Linton Leonard. Euton “Ton”, Vittington “Witty”, Elton “Eltie”, and Benton Callwood. LLewellyn, Derwin, Kevin, Devin, and Irwin Leonard. Nieces Ulalie Smith, Brendalee Smith-Jones, Yvette Jennings, Linda Leonard, Lorna Willock, Leonise Leonard, Levette Walters, Toyer Fahie, Doraline “DeeDee” Callwood, Marline Callwood-Smith, Carline Prentice, Dr. Arlene Callwood, and Dr. Scharmen Donovan. … and many Great-nieces, Great-nephews, other family members and friends, too numerous to mention.
The Funeral Service for the late Anton Victor Leonard will be held on Sunday, 25 May at the Carrot Bay Seventh-day Adventist Youth Centre in Carrot Bay, Tortola, BVI. The viewing will be held from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. and the service begins at 11 a.m. The interment will take place at the Dawson-Donovan Burial Ground in Carrot Bay, Tortola, BVI.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to: Turnbull Funeral Home and Crematory Services (St. Thomas, USVI) and Majestic Life Funeral Home and Crematory Services (Tortola, BVI)
81C is honored to announce a second consecutive year of summer art programs by 81C Arts taking place at 81C Studio located in the Camille Pissarro House. Summer art programs for 2025 are zero-cost and 100% scholarship-based thanks to working relationships with valued community partners supporting art and education in the Virgin Islands.
(Submitted photo)
Expression Through The Arts by instructor Dyonna Potter will take place June 23 – July 17, followed by Artistry Unleashed by instructor Shem Matthew, July 21 – August 14.
About Expression Through The Arts:
JUNE 23 – JULY 17 / AGES 8-16
Expression through The Arts is a transformative four-week summer program that provides a safe, supportive environment for students to explore and develop their creative potential. This program empowers participants to express themselves through visual art, creative writing, improv games, and other artistic activities, fostering not only artistic growth but also crucial social-emotional skills. By engaging in creative exploration, students learn to communicate their thoughts and emotions in meaningful ways, which can have lasting positive effects on their self-confidence and resilience.
Each week, students work on unique projects that allow them to discover their individual artistic voice, leading to a deep sense of accomplishment and personal growth. These experiences not only enhance their creative skills but also prepare them for future opportunities, encouraging them to think critically, collaborate with others, and approach challenges with an open mind. The program emphasizes the value of creative expression as a tool for problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and building connections—skills that are invaluable in both academic and real-world settings.
(Submitted photo)
At the end of the program, students’ artwork will be showcased in an end-of-summer exhibit, offering a meaningful opportunity for students, families, and teachers to celebrate the creativity and growth achieved. This exhibition is more than just a display of art; it’s a chance for the entire community to come together, share in the joy of the students’ creative journey, and see firsthand how nurturing artistic expression can make a positive impact on individuals and the broader community. Through this program, students not only grow as artists but also contribute to a more compassionate, creative, and connected community.
About Artistry Unleashed:
JULY 21 – AUGUST 14 / AGES 10-17
Artistry Unleashed is a dynamic four-week summer art camp designed for students aged 10–17. Limited to 12 participants, the program provides an immersive experience that blends hands-on projects, creative exploration, and collaborative learning.
Students will explore mixed media, illustration, and stage design, developing their artistic skills in a supportive and engaging environment. Each day the program runs from 8:00 AM to 3PM, featuring a balance of structured lessons, independent work, and collaborative group projects.
By the end of the camp, students will have completed a portfolio of unique creations, gained practical knowledge of artistic techniques, and developed design and storytelling skills
Admissions and Applications:
Students are welcome to apply for both programs and can find applications online at 81CVI.ORG.
Questions about admissions can be directed to 340-203-4030.
Applications will be accepted through June 13.
Statements:
“Artistry Unleashed is a hands-on summer art camp led by a veteran educator and artist with over eight years of experience teaching in the USVI. Our goal is to nurture young minds through diverse creative outlets—whether visual, musical, tactile, spoken, or written—to help them grow as confident, imaginative thinkers.” -Shem Matthew, Program Director, 81C Arts
“I don’t know where I’d be without creative outlets growing up, which is why this program means so much to me. After the success of our first year, I’m more motivated than ever to expand my program’s impact. This summer, every student slot is fully funded, allowing us to welcome a diverse group of young artists who can learn from one another and grow together. I can’t wait to see what they create!” -Dyonna Potter, Program Director and board member, 81C Arts
“IPB & ICMC are proud to support Expression Through the Arts for a second year, and the launch of Artistry Unleashed. One of our company values is empowerment and these summer art programs do just that – empower young people to explore their creative interests, nurture an outlet for expression, and develop skills for the future.” -Allison Flanders, IPB & ICMC
“As we commemorate our second year, the momentum of our initiative continues to strengthen. Thanks to our ongoing collaborations with valued community partners, We are pleased to announce that our summer programming is fully supported, enabling us to offer scholarship opportunities to every participant. This accolade is instrumental as we celebrate the diverse voices within our creative community.” -Joseph Hewes, Board President, 81C Arts
“Programs like Expression Through the Arts and Artistry Unleashed—brought to life by dedicated educators Ms. Potter and Mr. Matthew through 81C Arts—hold the potential to profoundly shape the artistic future of St. Thomas. Recognizing how essential arts access is for young people, we deeply appreciate IPB & ICMC and our community partners for identifying this need and supporting our transition toward fully scholarship-based admission models. Easing the financial burden on families has remained a core priority in making these programs truly accessible.” – Zack Zook, Executive Director, 81C Arts
More info:
Dyonna Potter
Art Educator
Dyonna Chandelle Potter is an enthusiastic art educator and a proud member of 81C’s Art and Education Advisory Board. A native of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, she began her artistic journey at The School of Visual Arts & Careers and participated in multiple productions at Pistarckle Theatre. Dyonna earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Savannah College of Art & Design and certifications in Graphic Design from Pace University and Shillington School of Graphic Design.
After working as a Technical Designer for major fashion houses in NYC, she returned to St. Thomas in 2020, where she discovered her passion for art education. In 2024, she launched the “Expression Through the Arts” program with 81C, which has since expanded year-round. Dyonna currently serves as the elementary art teacher at Antilles School.
With a deep passion for art and design, Dyonna is dedicated to helping students bring their ideas to life and aims to inspire creative self-expression in the youth of the Virgin Islands while continuing her own artistic growth.
Shem Matthew
Art Educator | Curriculum Developer
Shem Matthew is a passionate and experienced art educator with over nine years of teaching experience. He began his career teaching middle school art and is currently in his second year of teaching high school art at the Virgin Islands Department of Education.
Shem is also an Art Education Advisor for the 81C Art Gallery Foundation, contributing to creative opportunities within the community.
About 81C Arts:
81C Arts is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing arts access, education, and cultural engagement in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Its flagship location on Strand Gade in historic Charlotte Amalie houses a contemporary art gallery and event space, serving as a hub for curated exhibitions and community gatherings. Just two blocks away, its sister location in the Camille Pissarro House features a classroom for educational programming and working artist studios—supporting both youth enrichment initiatives and emerging artists. Through these spaces and island-wide partnerships, 81C Arts fosters creative opportunity, visibility, and inclusion across the territory.
