CREATE AN ORIGINAL WORK OF ART OR PRODUCT AND MAYBE MAKE SOME MONEY
PORT MARIA, St Mary; March 9, 2026
High school students across St. Mary are being challenged to show their creativity in their skill areas and possibly make money from it, through a parish project of the St Mary Festival Queen.
The project is called – ‘ReCreate St. Mary’ and calls on high school students to create original works of art and objects from vocational skill areas.
(Miss St. Mary Festival Queen 2025, Anya Graham, delivers remarks during the launch of the ‘ReCreate St. Mary’ initiative at the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) St. Mary Parish Office in Port Maria).
Conceived by Miss St. Mary Festival Queen 2025, Anya Graham, the project challenges students to apply their technical skills in producing original works of art and innovation.
The creations are left entirely to the imagination of the students and must be their own authentic work.
According to a JIS report, the process began on February 25 and will culminate in a formal public auction on April 26. At the event, participating students will present their creations, share the stories behind them, and invite members of the public to bid on the works.
Entry forms are available at the JCDC parish office in Port Maria and from Ms Graham. ReCreate St. Mary is open to all high schools across the parish.
A central venue for the auction is being sought but has not yet been confirmed, Ms Graham told the North Coast Times.
Ms Graham elaborated on the vision behind the project during the formal launch held at the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) St. Mary Parish Office in Port Maria on Wednesday, February 25.
Schools represented at the launch included St Mary High, St Mary Technical High, Iona High, and Oracabessa High.
“Technical skills… like carpentry, plumbing, electrical installation, visual arts, and other trades are taught in our high schools. But what if these skills could be transformed into something greater? What if they could be used, not only to function, but to create, innovate, and inspire?” she said, adding, “ReCreate St. Mary was formed from that very question.”
(Jamaica Cultural Development Commission St Mary Parish Manager, Sanya Maragh (left), stands with Miss St. Mary Festival Queen 2025, Anya Graham, during the ceremony to launch the ‘ReCreate St. Mary’ initiative, the Festival Queen’s parish project.).
Ms. Graham also expressed hope that the initiative will encourage students to step beyond their comfort zones.
“I am hoping and praying that this project really challenges our youth and encourages them to come out to do something extraordinary. They are to challenge themselves to do something out of the norm, to do something new… and to just come into their true potential,” she stated.
JCDC St. Mary Parish Manager, Sanya Maragh, described the project as “unique” and outlined the Commission’s role in supporting the initiative.
“In terms of resources, the JCDC and the Festival Queen will assist in the sense…[of identifying] a sponsor.”
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Janell Henderson/JIS Photos
