FROM WASTE, WE CREATE! is BERI’s signature eco-art initiative, inspiring people across Grand Bahama to see the potential in reclaimed materials that might otherwise end up polluting our environment or filling our landfill.
By combining creativity with environmental stewardship, the program encourages participants to collect, recover, and transform reclaimed materials into original works of art. Along the way, they help remove litter from our beaches and communities, spark conversations about sustainability, and demonstrate that small actions can create lasting change.
More than an art competition, FROM WASTE, WE CREATE! is a movement that celebrates creativity, environmental stewardship, community, and island pride.
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SEASON TWO — NOW OPEN
Presented by the Ministry for Grand Bahama
The next chapter of FROM WASTE, WE CREATE! begins August 15, 2026, and this season, we’re expanding the canvas.
Following the success of our inaugural student competition, Season Two welcomes artists, families, schools, community groups, organizations, and creators of all ages from across Grand Bahama.
This year’s theme, Rake ‘N’ Recreate, invites artists to explore the sounds, sights, stories, traditions, and natural beauty that make The Bahamas uniquely ours—and recreate them using materials that might otherwise be thrown away.
Inspired by the rhythm and spirit of Rake ’N’ Scrape, this year’s theme celebrates Bahamian culture through creativity, resourcefulness, and a fresh perspective on what we discard. From the music that moves us to the landscapes, traditions, and everyday details that shape island life, participants are invited to transform reclaimed materials into art that celebrates what it means to be Bahamian.
Take something discarded. Give it a new rhythm, a new purpose, and a distinctly Bahamian story.
THIS SEASON
- Student & All-Ages Divisions
- Individual & Group Entries
- $1,000 First Prize in Each Division
- Public Exhibitions of Selected Entries
- Community Clean-Ups & Material Collection
- Opportunities to Connect, Create & Learn
SUBMISSIONS CLOSE
February 12, 2027
Get ready to Rake ’N’ Recreate.
Sign-Up & Registration Forms
Is there an entry fee?
No! FROM WASTE, WE CREATE! is completely free to enter thanks to the generous support of our sponsors.
Who can enter?
The competition is open to all residents of Grand Bahama Island.
This season features two divisions:
- Student Division (Grades 4–13)
- All-Ages Community Division
Individuals, families, schools, Eco Clubs, community organizations, businesses, and other groups are all welcome to participate.
What if my child is younger than Grade 4?
Children younger than Grade 4 are welcome to participate as part of a family or group entry in the All Ages Division.
What is this year’s theme?
The 2027 theme is Rake ‘n’ Recreate—a celebration of Bahamian culture and pride inspired by our iconic Rake ‘n’ Scrape tradition.
We invite artists to transform reclaimed materials into original works of art that celebrate the beauty, heritage, and spirit of The Bahamas.
What can I create for this year’s theme?
Let your imagination—and your island—inspire you.
Your piece might celebrate the energy and color of Junkanoo, the rhythm of Rake ’N’ Scrape, or the natural beauty of our islands. Look to Bahamian bush medicine, straw work and traditional crafts, native birds like the Bahama Parrot, palms and coppice, coral reefs, mangroves, beaches, shells, conch, fishing traditions, local food, folklore, architecture, family traditions, or everyday island life for inspiration.
There are no limits to how you interpret the theme. What does The Bahamas look, sound, feel, or mean to you? Find it in the materials around you—and Rake ’n’ Recreate.
How many pieces can I submit?
Each artist or team may submit one artwork per competition season.
Can we enter as a team?
Absolutely!
Families, classrooms, schools, Eco Clubs, youth groups, community organizations, businesses, and other groups are encouraged to create artwork together.
What materials can I use?
Your artwork must be made from at least 75% reclaimed materials.
Accepted reclaimed materials include (but are not limited to):
- Marine debris
- Glass
- Plastics
- Bottle caps
- Aluminum cans
- Rope
- Driftwood
- Cardboard
- Fabric
- Packaging materials
- Household items that would otherwise be discarded
Purchased materials such as paint, glue, nails, screws, wire, canvas, wood bases, frames, acrylic sealers, and other fastening or finishing materials may be used to assemble and complete your artwork.
Do I have to collect the materials myself?
Yes! Collecting reclaimed materials is an important part of the competition.
Participants are encouraged to collect materials during beach and community clean-ups, or to save items from around the home that would otherwise end up in the landfill. You can also ask family, friends, neighbors, schools, and local businesses to save materials for you.
Every item you reuse is one less item entering our environment or landfill.
I don’t have enough reclaimed materials. Can you help?
Absolutely!
If you need materials to complete your artwork, please reach out. We often have donated reclaimed materials available and are happy to help whenever possible.
📧 BERIBahamas@gmail.com
📱 WhatsApp: (242) 813-1539
Or send us a message on Facebook or Instagram.
How do I get a free glue gun kit?
Thanks to our generous sponsors, we provide free glue gun kits while supplies last.
To request one, email us at BERIBahamas@gmail.com, send a WhatsApp message to (242) 813-1539, or contact us on Facebook or Instagram to arrange pickup.
How big can my artwork be?
There is no maximum size!
If your artwork exceeds 10 feet in height, width, or depth, please contact us in advance so we can ensure we have adequate exhibition space.
Do I need to document my progress?
Yes.
Participants must photograph the different stages of creating their artwork, including material collection and the construction process. These photos help celebrate your creative journey and may be requested during judging.
Do I need to write an Artist Statement?
Yes.
Each entry must include an Artist Statement (up to 500 words) describing your inspiration, creative process, reclaimed materials, and the environmental message behind your artwork.
How are the winners selected?
A panel of judges—including artists, environmental leaders, and educators—will evaluate each entry based on:
- Creativity and originality
- Craftsmanship
- Interpretation of the theme
- Environmental message
- Effective use of reclaimed materials
- Overall visual impact
Our official judging panel will be announced before the exhibition.
What prizes can I win?
Each division will award:
🥇 First Prize — $1,000 Cash.
Will my artwork be exhibited?
Selected entries will be included in the official FROM WASTE, WE CREATE! Eco-Art Exhibition, giving artists the opportunity to share their work with the community.
What happens to my artwork after the exhibition?
Artwork remains the property of the artist.
After the exhibition, pieces may be collected by their creators unless arrangements have been made for them to remain on display in future exhibitions or community events.
When is the submission deadline?
The deadline to submit your completed artwork is:
Friday, February 12th, 2027 at 10PM.
I’m not an artist. Can I still enter?
Absolutely!
FROM WASTE, WE CREATE! is about creativity, storytelling, and protecting our environment—not being a professional artist. Whether you’re creating your first sculpture or have years of artistic experience, everyone is welcome.
Some of the most inspiring pieces come from people who simply want to make a difference.
How can I stay updated?
Follow FROM WASTE, WE CREATE! on Facebook and Instagram, or sign up for our email newsletter to receive updates on the competition, exhibitions, workshops, volunteer opportunities, and special events.
Didn’t find your question?
We’d love to hear from you! Reach out by email at BERIBahamas@gmail.com, send us a WhatsApp message at (242) 813-1539, or connect with us on Facebook or Instagram. We’re happy to help and can’t wait to see what you create!
Our inaugural season invited students from across Grand Bahama to transform reclaimed materials into original works of art celebrating the beauty, culture, and natural heritage of The Bahamas.
The response exceeded every expectation. Students created remarkable sculptures and mixed-media artwork using marine debris, plastics, glass, bottle caps, aluminum cans, and other reclaimed materials—proving that creativity can transform even the most overlooked objects into something meaningful.
Selected works were proudly exhibited at MOSAIC Art Hub, where the season concluded with a public exhibition and awards ceremony, before moving to the Rand Nature Centre for a second public exhibition.
The creativity, passion, and environmental awareness shown by every participant reminded us that the next generation is ready to lead the way toward a cleaner, more sustainable Bahamas.
Meet Our Inaugural Winners
Our judges were inspired by the creativity, craftsmanship, and powerful environmental messages expressed throughout this year’s exhibition. Selecting the inaugural winners was no easy task, with each piece demonstrating remarkable imagination and a deep commitment to protecting our environment.
Congratulations to our inaugural award recipients.
🥇 Grand Prize Winner
Aiden K. Rahming
A Turtle’s Tail
Grand Prize Recipient — $1,000
Materials: Buoys, marine rope, bottle caps, straws, marine plastics, and reclaimed beach debris
Created almost entirely from materials collected during beach clean-ups around Grand Bahama, A Turtle’s Tail transforms discarded marine debris into a striking symbol of hope and conservation. Through remarkable creativity and craftsmanship, Aiden reminds us that the very materials threatening our oceans can become powerful tools for education, awareness, and change.
“The artist collapses the distance between cause and consequence. This work functions as a visual archive, documenting the traces we leave behind and the ways in which they become entangled with the natural world. Much like historians and archaeologists interpret artefacts to better understand past societies, the embedded objects tell a contemporary story about consumption, disposal, and our relationship with the environment.
Rather than being obscured, these elements retain their identity, functioning not merely as artistic components but as evidence of human presence. Their visibility encourages viewers to consider the narratives embedded within them. The choice of a sea turtle is particularly compelling. As a species closely associated with the health and fragility of marine ecosystems, it becomes a powerful vessel through which these ideas are conveyed. The work becomes not only a representation of marine life, but also a reflection on the enduring impact of our actions on the environments we inhabit.”
— Jinnel Sturridge
FROM WASTE, WE CREATE! Judge
Bahamas National Trust | Isle & Wellness
🥈 Runner-Up
Makaylah Wilchcombe
Treasures of the Reef
Runner-Up
Materials: Weathered glass, bottle caps, plastic bottles, can tabs, cardboard, aluminum cans, stir sticks, and foam
With extraordinary attention to detail, Treasures of the Reef celebrates the beauty and fragility of Bahamian marine ecosystems. Using reclaimed materials collected from the environment, Makaylah created a vibrant underwater world that serves as both a celebration of our oceans and a compelling reminder of our responsibility to protect them.
“There were so many captivating entries, but this piece stands out for me due to its imaginative transformation of discarded materials into an entire underwater ecosystem. The artist demonstrates exceptional creativity and craftsmanship, using a wide variety of recycled materials to create texture, movement, and visual interest throughout the composition. The work is both playful and educational, effectively transporting the viewer into another world, and highlighting the beauty of marine life while reinforcing the importance of environmental stewardship and waste reduction.”
— Lisa Codella
FROM WASTE, WE CREATE! Judge
MOSAIC Art Hub | Coastal Mojo
Running alongside the eco-art competition, the GB School Clean-Up Challenge encourages schools across Grand Bahama to organize beach and community clean-ups throughout the season, transforming environmental stewardship into a shared commitment.
Students work together to remove litter from beaches, roadsides, parks, and neighborhoods while learning that protecting our environment begins with simple, consistent action. Every cleanup helps create a cleaner, healthier Grand Bahama—and inspires a lifelong sense of community pride and environmental responsibility.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
The next GB School Clean-Up Challenge is now open August 2026 through February 2027.
Schools across Grand Bahama are invited to organize designated off-campus beach and community clean-ups, collecting litter and debris throughout the six-month challenge.
The goal is simple: inspire environmental stewardship, foster pride in our island, and show students that every cleanup—no matter how small—helps protect the place we call home.
At the conclusion of the challenge, the school that collects the greatest amount of litter and debris will receive a $1,000 donation to its Eco Club, Art Department, or Science Department in recognition of its outstanding commitment to environmental leadership.
Participating is simple. Complete a GB School Clean-Up Challenge Inventory Form for each cleanup and submit it to BERI. Schools can organize their clean-ups throughout the challenge period and track the debris collected along the way.
Guidelines and Inventory Forms are available below.
Questions? Email BERIBahamas@gmail.com or WhatsApp 813-1539.
Celebrating Our First Season
Our inaugural GB School Clean-Up Challenge brought together schools from across Grand Bahama in six months of environmental action.
Together, participating schools removed thousands of pounds of litter and more than 100 bags of debris from beaches and communities across the island, demonstrating the incredible impact young people can make when they work together.
Participating Schools
- Bishop Michael Eldon School (BMES)
- Lucaya International School (LIS)
- Lewis Yard Primary School
- GB Homeschool Group
Congratulations to Our Inaugural Champions
🏆 Bishop Michael Eldon School
Congratulations to Bishop Michael Eldon School (BMES), winner of the inaugural GB School Clean-Up Challenge!
Through exceptional participation and an unwavering commitment to keeping Grand Bahama clean, BMES removed more than 1,200 pounds of litter during the six-month challenge and earned the $1,000 Grand Prize for its Eco Club.
Their enthusiasm, leadership, and commitment demonstrated the power of young people working together to create lasting environmental change.
More Than an Art Competition
FROM WASTE, WE CREATE! encourages people to see reclaimed materials differently.
Every bottle collected, every piece of marine debris removed, and every sculpture created represents one less item polluting our environment—and one more opportunity to inspire change.
Through creativity, education, and community action, we’re building a culture where reclaimed materials are no longer seen as something to discard, but as resources with endless creative potential.
FROM WASTE, WE CREATE! is made possible through the generous support of businesses, organizations, government agencies, and community partners who believe in protecting our environment and investing in the next generation of environmental leaders.
Together, we’re creating opportunities for creativity, education, and environmental stewardship throughout Grand Bahama.
Become a Sponsor
Whether you’d like to sponsor FROM WASTE, WE CREATE!, support exhibitions, donate materials, volunteer, or partner with us on future initiatives, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can continue growing a movement that inspires cleaner communities and more sustainable islands.
Contact us to learn how you or your organization can become part of FROM WASTE, WE CREATE!
