Be The Change: Bringing Art and Awareness to St. Maarten
In the heart of Philipsburg, down the Afloopsteeg next to Seaview Hotel, visitors are now greeted by more than just a vibrant mural—they encounter an information about the artwork and backgrounds of the underwater world of St. Maarten. The “underwater alleyway,” now adorned with informative boards, invites the public to explore life beneath the waves and the urgent need to protect it. The alley is one of many in Philipsburg that has been upgraded with mural artworks by the Be The Change Foundation.
The new info-boards illuminate the animals and ecosystems depicted in the mural, introduce the artists behind the work, and connect viewers to @colormesxm via QR codes, creating a bridge between art, education, and digital storytelling.
The mural itself is a collaboration between Daphne Prevoo and Nascha Kagie, whose artistry transformed the alleyway into a canvas celebrating the beauty and fragility of St. Maarten’s marine life. Kagie is also known as the artist behind the mural artwork pictured on the winning photo of the 2024 Event Calendar Photo Contest and her cultural tour company Seagrapes.
This initiative is a joint effort with Plastic Free SXM and the St. Maarten Development Fund (SMDF), reflecting a shared commitment to environmental stewardship. Generous support from LICCOM Construction, Sherwin-Williams, the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, the Government of Sint Maarten, and Het Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied has made this vision possible.
The “underwater alleyway” reminds residents and visitors alike that change begins with awareness, and that each of us has a role to play in protecting the vibrant marine life that surrounds our island home.
