Kingston High students unveil “Peace of Art” mural promoting hope, peace and youth empowerment

The Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN), through its #YouthAgainstViolence Project, officially unveiled its “Peace of Art” mural at Kingston High School on Monday July 29, 20206, marking another milestone in its mission to foster safer schools and empower young people through creativity, dialogue and community action. 

The initiative, supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), transformed an ordinary school wall into a vibrant symbol of peace, resilience and excellence. Designed and painted by Kingston High students under the guidance of mural artist Analiese Virtue, the mural reflects the students’ vision of what a peaceful, thriving school community should look like.

The unveiling ceremony brought together key stakeholders and partners, including His Excellency the High Commissioner of Canada to Jamaica Mr. Mark Berman, Kingston High Principal Jermaine Loutin, representatives of the school’s board, Alysa Allen, Child Protection Officer at UNICEF Jamaica, Shiyan Daley Boothe of BH Paints, Akeem Bender, Project Manager at the Citizen Security Secretariat, Senior Programme Development Specialist Simone Campbell, along with teachers and students from Kingston High.

Shannique Bowden, Executive Director of JYAN, notes “This mural is the visual expression of what is possible when young people are empowered to contribute to the betterment of their school and community.

It stands as a lasting reminder that peace is possible, creativity has power, and our young people deserve every opportunity to thrive and achieve.” The Peace of Art Initiative was developed as a legacy component of JYAN’s #YouthAgainstViolence Project.

While students across participating schools engaged in workshops focused on conflict resolution, violence prevention and gender-based violence awareness, JYAN sought to leave behind a permanent symbol of hope that students would encounter every day.

Kingston High was selected through the Ministry of National Security’s Citizen Security Secretariat School Intervention Strategy because of the school’s demonstrated commitment to positive transformation and student development.

Akeem Bender, Project Manager at the Citizens Security Secretariat and a key partner in this project, shared that “At the Citizen Security Secretariat, we believe that safer schools are built not only through programmes and policies, but by creating environments where students feel valued, inspired and empowered to succeed. This mural reflects the resilience, creativity and promise of Kingston High’s students, and it stands as a lasting reminder that when we invest in our children today, we are building stronger schools, safer communities and a more secure Jamaica for generations to come.

“At Kingston High School, we are intentional about creating a culture where peace, respect and excellence are not just ideals, but lived experiences for every student. We recognise that our responsibility extends beyond the school gates into the surrounding community, and we remain committed to nurturing young people who will become positive leaders and agents of change.”

Jermaine Loutin, Principal, Kingston High School

Throughout the project, students worked collaboratively with mural artist Analiese Virtue to conceptualise and paint a mural depicting their shared vision of peace and excellence within their school community. The participating student artists were Leondre Wallace, Rohan Desouva, Terrique Ricketts, Rohanna Desouva, Kaylee Camdoou, Dashian Brown, Malik Dunn and Julia Blackwood.

JYAN also acknowledges the leadership and commitment of Principal Jermaine Loutin, Dean of Discipline Mrs Jackson Wilson, Art Teacher Mrs Douglas, who dedicated weekends to supporting the students, and muralist Analiese Virtue, whose mentorship helped bring the students’ vision to life.

JYAN expresses appreciation to the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives for its continued investment in Jamaican youth, the Citizen Security Secretariat for its partnership in advancing safer schools and communities, and BH Paints for donating the materials that made the mural possible.

Now in its second implementation, JYAN’s #YouthAgainstViolence Project, supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, continues to engage schools and community groups across Jamaica through programmes centred on conflict resolution, violence mitigation and gender-based violence sensitisation. The initiative is guided by the belief that Jamaican youth deserve a B.E.T.T.A.

Better environment to thrive and achieve

As students, educators and partners gathered to unveil the completed artwork, the mural stood as a powerful reminder that investing in young people creates lasting change not only on school walls, but within communities and across generations.