PHILIPSBURG:--- Last Saturday, 35 volunteers gathered for the first of several volunteer days at Afloop Steeg in Philipsburg to take part in a community-driven mural project. The project, when completed, will transform the alleyway into an underwater world of art with a message of environmental awareness. The alleyway transformation is a collaboration between @colormesxm, Be The Change Foundation & Plastic Free SXM.
The design of the mural is created and guided by artists Nascha Kagie and Daphne Prevoo. Given the scale of the mural, volunteers are essential in bringing the design to life. Organizers are encouraging all persons interested in “getting creative” to sign up for one of the upcoming volunteer dates, March 2, March 8, or March 16, via www.volunteer.sx.
“Thank you to all the volunteers who took the time to help this Saturday. A special thank you to the Community Police Officer Martes and several colleagues of the Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) who came out to paint as well! We are excited to host the upcoming volunteer dates and hope they are just as successful as this one,” shares Laura Bijnsdorp, coordinator of @colormesxm.
Aside from volunteers, the alleyway transformation is made possible with the support of Plastic Free SXM, St. Maarten Development Fund, LICCOM Construction, Sherwin Williams, St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, Government of Sint Maarten, Cultuurfonds Caribish Gebied & Seaview Beach Hotel. Plastic Free SXM is supported by the Resilience, Sustainable Energy, and Marine Biodiversity Programme (RESEMBID), funded by the European Union and implemented by Expertise France.
Once completed, the mural will be a vibrant site to visit and photograph, inviting residents and visitors to reflect on their role in reducing plastic consumption and protecting the islands’ environment.
For more information and to follow the project visit www.facebook.com/bethechangesxm, www.facebook.com/plasticfreesxm , or on Instagram: @colormesxm.
