YouTube star Hakim Callwood and videographer Ted Cadillac of Tour de Mural have been on the St. Croix Educational Complex High School campus, painting a mural and filming an episode for the show. Mr. Callwood is a highly sought-after mural artist in Columbus, Ohio, and has roots in the Virgin Islands. Hakim's father, the late Edwin Callwood, was born on St. Thomas and later moved to St. Croix. During Hakim's early adolescent years, he lived in St. Croix. While on the island, he attended The Free Will Baptist School before moving back to Ohio. During the pandemic, Hakim and his good friend Ted Cadillac started their YouTube show Tour de Mural.
Hakim and Ted were invited to the island by The St. Croix Educational Complex High School (SCECHS) Fine Arts Department chairperson, Danica David. David, an artist, was introduced to Hakim by fellow art educator and artist Shakir Smith. Following David invited Hakim to create a mural on the campus of SCECHS.
David then asked her fellow educator, Ms. Cassandra King, SCECHS Mathematics Department chairperson, to collaborate by writing a grant to the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts. The project involved painting a large-scale mural that ties Mathematics and Arts to Virgin Islands culture on the SCECHS campus.
Hakim Callwood painting
The Virgin Islands Cultural and Educational Mural Project is essential because it is a unique way to inspire students to learn about and connect with the Virgin Islands' culture, history, and mathematics. This will promote community pride and encourage our students across the Virgin Islands territory.
St. Croix Educational Complex High School received numerous donations such as materials and labor to assist with SCECHS's Virgin Islands Cultural and Educational Mural Project. The project was funded by the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts and National Endowment for the Arts. The paint was generously donated by Home Depot manager Mr. Aidan Malcolm and Gallows Bay Hardware general manager Jammie Joseph and manager Michael Welch. Tropical Industrial Company and Tropical Charter owner Angel Luis Gomez Jr. donated scaffolding assembled by his employees Freddy Canton, Ricky Poleon, Troy Weste, Urijah Lockhart, and Leon A Richardson III.
Students in Ms. David's Basic Art and Advanced Art classes assisted: Quachayne Christian, Israel Browne, Francisca Martinez, Sanchez, Jorge Sanchez, Gabriella Charles, Shadeyah DeCastro, Rodney Moorehead Jr., and Mariah Stubbs.
Advanced Art students (L- R) Rodney Moorehead Jr., and Gabriella Charles assisting.
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