Amadrya Clarke, a Hamilton‑based visual artist known for her vibrant mixed‑media installations, was presented with the Caribbean Artist of the Year award at the 2024 Caribbean Art Festival in Trinidad and Tobago on Friday.

The accolade, awarded by the Caribbean Arts Council, recognised Clarke’s innovative use of reclaimed materials to explore themes of identity and heritage. In a brief acceptance speech, Clarke thanked her mentors at the Bermuda Institute of the Arts, her family and the local community that has continually supported her practice.

The award ceremony, which ran alongside a series of panel discussions on contemporary Caribbean art, also highlighted the growing influence of Bermudian artists beyond the island’s shores. Clarke said she hopes the honour will open doors for more Bermuda artists to showcase their work at regional festivals and to secure funding for larger projects.

Clarke’s latest series, “Island Echoes,” will be displayed at the National Gallery of Bermuda later this month, where visitors can explore her layered canvases that blend traditional Bermudian motifs with digital imagery. The award is expected to boost the profile of the Bermuda art scene and encourage collaboration between local artists and international curators.

Her peers praised her dedication to community engagement, noting her recent workshops for young artists in Hamilton’s St. George’s Parish.

The Caribbean Artist of the Year award marks a milestone not only for Clarke but for Bermuda’s cultural representation on the Caribbean stage.