Canvas Caribbean is an artists’ group which is composed of Visual Arts graduates of The University of The West Indies, St Augustine Campus. We hold annual exhibitions in Trinidad and Tobago.

In 2003, the late renowned Trinidadian artist and musician Dr. Pat Bishop had a vision for us, and the many other artists to come from the then Centre for the Creative and Festival Arts (CCFA). She felt that we should have our works of Art exhibited in a well established Port- of- Spain Art Gallery.

A group of graduates got together with Dr. Bishop at her home and listened intently, as she passionately expressed her hopes and dreams for her former students.  The Gallery 1234 which was located at the Hotel Normandie, St Ann’s, willingly agreed to host the work of these new and upcoming university-trained artists.  The group’s first exhibition entitled “The Showing” was held from September 16th to 26th, 2003.

The exhibition attracted one of the largest crowds ever seen at The Gallery 1234 as art enthusiasts, artists, lecturers, and patrons of the arts flocked to the gallery to see what the Art graduates of the CCFA were producing.  The exhibition was a huge success. This was the beginning of the group, who, with the unwavering support of Dr. Bishop would eventually call themselves Canvas Caribbean.

We were privileged to have been the first group of graduate artists from the UWI, to have our work featured in Carifesta IX in 2006, evidence of this can be found in the catalogue of artwork printed for the Festival. A mini-exhibition of the work selected for Carifesta XI was held at the Main Library of The University of The West Indies later that year.

Today, Canvas Caribbean's aims are to host annual exhibitions, to support fellow artists, and to inspire and encourage members to keep working at their art. Other collaborative efforts include facilitating seminars and workshops and visiting other artists at home, in the Caribbean, and abroad. Our members travel the world annually through individual or group trips and this has proven to be both educational and inspiring.

As we grow from strength to strength, the hope is to continue hosting our Art exhibitions so that we may develop the best possible means of inspiring art lovers, motivating our educators and engaging critics as well as other members of society.