Festival gives walls some character
Dozens of artists are transforming blank building facades into stunning works of art during the third annual Bermuda Walls festival.
Participants from Bermuda and overseas are working on murals on Church Street, the Corporation of Hamilton headquarters, Butterfield & Vallis offices in Pembroke and Devonshire, and several other sites.
Nhuri Bashir, originator of the festival, said between 25 and 30 people are participating in this year’s event, more than double from the 12 who took part in 2025.
He explained: “We look at the styles the artists have and we ask that their pieces have some connection to Bermuda culture.
“International artists arrived in Bermuda on Wednesday and leave in three days, so have that amount of time to work on their pieces.”
Subjects this year varied from fish to colourful portraits to Gombey drums and drummers.
Mr Bashir said: “The most rewarding part of organising this festival is creating an open-air gallery for everyone and a platform for these artists.”
He told aspiring local artists: “Don’t be afraid to put your work out there, even if you don’t think it’s the greatest, it’s important to get your work seen.”
People of all ages enjoyed the artwork, and contributed to a mural themselves, at Butterfield & Vallis on Woodlands Road yesterday.
Shanna Hollis, award-winning graphic designer and chairwoman of the Bermuda Arts Council, facilitated the community mural themed “Three Little Birds”.
Ms Hollis completed murals on Palmetto Road, King’s Square and for Wynwood Mural Fest in Miami.
She explained: “I chose Three Little Birds because, with all that’s going on in the world right now, a little positivity is needed.”
Ms Hollis added: “We started working on this at 11am and will continue until 4pm — it’s so great to see so many children, including some that I teach at the Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation, helping with it.”
Ms Hollis and other local artists are working on another mural in Bailey’s Bay that will be unveiled on April 26.
Julia YH, artist name MonkYi, visited the island from Toronto for the first time to take part in the festival.
Her mural, inspired by marine life, portrays a woman with colourful hair and covers an entire section of wall on Woodlands Road.
MonkYi explained: “Her hair has colours found on parrotfish and part of the piece was inspired by a bioluminescent fish found here.”
She added: “I love the festival so far, everyone has been so supportive of each other and it’s great to see so much creativity.”
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