David Hamilton Jackson Student Artwork Exhibit
The Virgin Islands Department of Education’s Division of Virgin Islands Cultural Education hosted the 5th Annual David Hamilton Jackson and All Ah We Student Exhibit on Saturday, Nov. 15, at Cane Roots Art Gallery. The event celebrated youth creativity, civic pride, and historical awareness.
Connecting Students with Freedom Fighters
The exhibit highlighted the legacies of Virgin Islands freedom fighters David Hamilton Jackson and Rothschild Francis. Student artworks, performances, and essays were inspired by these early 20th-century leaders who used the press to fight injustice and colonial rule.
“It’s not only about honoring Jackson’s voice,” said Stephanie Chalana Brown, Director of the Division of Virgin Islands Cultural Education. “It’s about teaching our students that freedom of expression and civic participation are living traditions. This year we expanded the project to include Rothschild Francis, bridging their stories as part of an ongoing series exploring unsung Virgin Islands heroes.”
Teacher Recognition and Integration
A key part of the exhibit was acknowledging teachers who incorporated the project creatively into various subjects. Luz Rivera Betis, a foreign language teacher at Eulalie R. Rivera Elementary School, shared her approach.
“I teach Spanish, but I wanted my students to understand why they are entitled to the rights they have today,” Rivera Betis said.
Summary
This annual exhibit fosters student engagement with Virgin Islands history by celebrating influential freedom fighters and promoting creative education across disciplines.