The very first day at Speyside High was when my eyes were opened to the possibilities as an aspiring artist. Recoiling from the sudden change in environment, I literally did not make a sound that first day at my new school. I took out my sketch portfolio and started drawing, and drawing, and drawing.

I didn’t see my teacher watching me the whole time from the corner of the room. Then, out of nowhere she came to me and asked me for my sketching folder She took my folder and disappeared. I started shaking … I was sure I had done something wrong, that I had unknowingly broken one of the rules at my new school.

Ten minutes later my teacher returns: “Mr. Thomas would like to see you.” I started shaking I thought that Mr. Thomas was the principal and that I was going to his office to be punished.

A minute later I was standing in front of Mr. Thomas in the Art Room. “Young sir, I notice you have a lot of raw talent. Would you be interested in taking part in an art competition?” I went from scared to surprised, even sarcastic. I honestly didn’t think that I was that talented in art. But then again I saw it as another opportunity to draw, to do something I love.

Competition day comes. It was three torturous hours waiting for the results. I didn’t expect to place. So, I was annoyed they were taking so long. Then, the announcement. Third place…. Second place… At that point I started heading back to the bus to go home. Then…. First Place: “Avi Joshua Chami”. I froze. The teacher cheering… students telling me to go collect my prize. I’m in shock.. I even quietly shed a few tears of joy.

After that pivotal experience, I was hooked. I couldn’t stop drawing and painting. It’s fair to say that Tobago brought out the artist in me. If I had stayed in Trinidad I would have probably been a mechanic or engineer.

Now, I have found my passion. I am a prolific artist. Between paintings and doodling, I literally produce over 100 artistic creations every month. I am forced to discard a lot of my creations due to lack of space. I never thought much of it because the way I look at it, I could just keep producing more and more new creations with the millions of ideas constantly swirling in my head, I paint anywhere and everywhere. I paint every waking moment that is not occupied by other tasks that I must do.

In 2019 I completed a Certificate Programme in Fine Arts at the University of the West Indies (UWI), with big dreams and a light heart. I had finally claimed my true passion, and I now had all the tools and education I needed to fulfill my dreams (or so I thought).

Then my world tipped on its axis when the pandemic hit. I ended up back home in Tobago with no job, no money, and waning self-esteem. I started working in construction with my dad, while continuing to use every spare waking moment to pour my heart and soul into my art.

It was then that I met one of the Founders of The Pride of Tobago Foundation. She took me under her wing, guided me, validated the quality of my work, and gave me a platform to promote my art through TPOT’s “Live With Jay B” weekly social media show. Before I knew it my first piece was sold to a buyer in California with ties to Tobago, and then the next one went to a buyer in Maryland and the momentum started to build. The latest blessing is the connection TPOT made for me with a successful international art curator, who is opening up the world to my artistic expression.

The road ahead is still long and hard. Becoming a financially secure artist is an elusive (though now realistic) dream. I could now see a light at the end of a tunnel that I only discovered when I met my mentors and supporters at The Pride of Tobago (TPOT) Foundation.

Thank you to my TPOT family. It is my dream to make you and all of Tobago very proud!