"My name is Michael Wilson, and I am the Executive Director of the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts. At CMCArts our mission is to preserve. promote and exhibit the culture of the Caribbean as well as the Virgin Islands in particular. Thanks to the money that we receive from the VI Lottery, we were able to provide that experience through dynamic culturally grounded educational programming. With our programs, students are able to come in, learn how to make works of art, but also through the making process, they are able to learn about the culture and the history of the island they live in. For example, through our clay making class, they not only interact with local clay making arts, but they learn how to make Moko Jumbies, they learn how to make Sugar Mills. With that, they learn about the history and culture of a Moko Jumbie, and the history and culture of the Sugar Mills as it relates to Virgin Islands history. They also have a chance to make wire sculptures. But not only just make wire sculptures, but interact with local artists like Waldemar Brodhurst, who are famous for making those local wire sculptures. So when they leave these summer programs, they not only make art and have fun, but they get to know a bit more about themselves, and a little bit more about the history and culture of the island they live in."

Michael Wilson, Executive Director of CMCArts

"I have the great pleasure of working with many of the students who came to West End Music and Art Institute this summer. West End Music Institute first started because we had an artist in residence who had came in the fall to work with students from Arthur A. Richards Junior High School in the mornings when they were in split session. The students loved it so much, when parents asked if we could replicate that kind of programming, as we decided to do that for the summer. It was very special because we had a group of students who loved art, and we also had a group of students who loved music, so to bring those two group of students together was fun because some had strengths in one facet of the arts, and some in the other. Without VI Lottery's assistance, most of these students would not have been able to participate. And the fact that they did, I really think changed their experience in the arts in a way that they would never would have been able to experience having an hour art class. The fact that we can offer that, is only because VI Lottery was able to provide those options for us. So Thank You."

Tralice Bracy, President, and Board Member of CMCArts