WYLAND WALL

Preparations for the arrival of Wyland commenced yesterday with the priming of the wall where the acclaimed artist will paint one of his trademark murals. It was carried out with the assistance of inmates of the prison.

Some 10 prisoners, accompanied by a prison guard arrived at the YASCO wall, eager and excited to contribute to the making of history.

"They painted the whole wall along Old Parham Road and about 40ft down Lady Nugent Avenue," public relations officer Martha Watkins-Gilkes told the AntiguaSun.

The 120ft wall on Old Parham Road extending up Lady Nugent’s Avenue is to receive a life-sized marine image next week when on the 25th and 26th the California based artist will transform the area with the help of some children.

"The mural is going to be a wrap-around mural with sea scene and fish swimming up and along Nugent Avenue." Watkins-Gilkes said. She remarked that the inmates were in high spirits as they tackled the painting. The enjoyment sensed among them was tangible, Watkins-Gilkes said.

Having used the assistance of the inmates for clean-up initiatives in the past, Watkins-Gilkes approached prison superintendent Anthony Hopkins. 

Sponsored by the government and PricewaterhouseCoopers, the project has opened an opportunity for the nation’s children to work on the mural, and so far 130 have signed up. They can also compete for the chance to paint alongside Wyland by submitting their marine artwork.