Bahamas News
Creative and Performing Arts School (CAPAS) set to open September 2025
By ERIC ROSE
Bahamas Information Services
NASSAU, The Bahamas – Minister of Education and Technical & Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna Martin said that apart from being an outlet for Bahamian cultural expression and growth, the Creative and Performing Arts School (CAPAS), set to open in September 2025, had incredible potential for the economic reality of individuals and the entire nation.
“This is a most liberating moment, I believe, for our people, for our country,” she said at a press conference announcing the latest updates for CAPAS, held at the Island House Cinema, on March 24, 2025.
“It was something that had been promised,” she added. “We did a launch (of the official consultation) January last year, and some didn’t believe it would happen; but here we are.”
Also speaking at the event were Minister of Labour and the Public Service the Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle; CAPAS Project leader Ian Poitier, who gave in-depth information on CAPAS; and via video, Sam Glynne of United Talent Agency (UTA).
Mr. Poitier announced UTA as a major new international partnership, and a leading global talent, entertainment, and sports company.
According to a release, that collaboration was poised to “significantly enhance CAPAS’s film, television, and performing arts programmes, positioning The Bahamas as a rising hub for creative production in the region”.
Also, spearheaded by The Government of The Bahamas, CAPAS will be the first institution in The Caribbean to provide comprehensive training in the creative, performing and production arts, especially for television, film and the stage, to include commercial and music video production.
“We are so excited to work with UTA, one of the world’s most influential entertainment companies, to elevate our creative and performing arts programmes,” Mr. Poitier said in the release. “UTA’s experience and expertise will help to unlock the enormous creative and cultural potential of The Bahamas and the region.”
As part of its commitment to the long-term success of the program, UTA will support the establishment of an Advisory Board which will include industry veterans, ensuring that CAPAS’s curriculum remains up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in the entertainment sector, the release stated. Additionally, UTA will help promote The Bahamas as a home for international productions, and launch initiatives to increase CAPAS’s visibility on the international stage.
CAPAS students will also benefit from unique opportunities, such as visiting UTA’s offices in Beverly Hills and gaining exposure to high-profile productions across the U.S. and Europe. UTA will further help to secure internships and placements, bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world experience in the entertainment industry, according to the release.
Mr. Poitier also announced that CAPAS will operate out of the former Phil’s Food Service building on Gladstone Road, and the site will feature studio performing and practicing spaces. He added that that institute was slated to open with an initial enrolment of 20 performing arts students and 40 production students. Auditions will open in May for the autumn term, for students at least 18 years old.
Minister of Education Glenys Hanna-Martin pointed out that CAPAS would also help to address the low number of teachers in the public school sector who focus on the creative arts.
“We found that there was no emphasis on the creative arts,” Minister Hanna Martin said. “All of the research is showing how important the creative arts is for young people as they develop.”
She added: “We have become very focused on the academics, which is okay, but we are more than that. And, so, we entered into an agreement with the Shirley Hall Bass Foundation, which is now training teachers so that we can begin offerings in dance, in drama, etc., and to do it in a skilled way. So, teachers are being trained in this regard. We would want to work with CAPAS to develop the skillset of teachers even more.”
“We envision that the creative arts is important – [as is generally known] – but for those students who are particularly interested in this as a career, they would feed into CAPAS as a tertiary institution,” Minister Hanna Martin said.
Minister Glover-Rolle noted that there were a number of Cabinet Ministers and Parliamentarians, including herself and Minister Hanna Martin who had personal experiences with being in the creative arts and the Orange Economy, who are now helping to put passion behind ensuring that CAPAS comes to fruition.
“This institute will also bring a positive impact to what we call the social fibre of our country,” she stated. “Yes, the economic boost, and yes the opportunity for sustainable careers – not ‘jobs’.”
“While this is arts-based, it speaks to almost every demographic of our society,” she added.
Minister Glover-Rolle pointed out that, as a Labour Department, they were also tasked with addressing the gaps in The Bahamas’ labour market regarding the ‘productions’ line of work, for those who may want to pursue that avenue.
“So the Orange Economy, as promised by our administration, is getting focus and I think that this is dynamic focus; and, of course, The Bahamas is leading the way because this will not only be the premier institute for the creative arts in The Bahamas, but around the region as we intend to attract students from The Bahamas and the Caribbean,” she added.
PHOTO CAPTION
Minister of Education and Technical & Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna Martin (centre) and Minister of Labour and the Public Service the Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle joined Project Lead for the Creative and Performing Arts School (CAPAS), Ian Poitier in announcing updates and a new partnership with United Talent Agency (UTA), at a press conference held at the Island House Cinema, on March 24, 2025. Also speaking at the event via video was Sam Glynne of UTA. (BIS Photos/Eric Rose)
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
