Barbadian duo among five honoured in 2026 Anthony N Sabga Awards

Visual artist Sheena Rose and social activist Shamelle Rice have been named among five new laureates of the 2026 Anthony N Sabga Awards for Caribbean Excellence, earning regional acclaim as part of the 21st edition of the prestigious programme.

Rose and Rice emerged as standout honourees in the Arts and Letters and Public and Civic Contributions categories respectively, during a video‑streamed announcement from Port of Spain on Monday evening. The laureates will be formally inducted into the programme’s College of Laureates at a gala ceremony scheduled for later this year.

Chairman of the Regional Eminent Persons Panel, Professor Compton Bourne, highlighted the rigorous selection process behind the awards. “The panel of ten eminent Caribbean citizens made difficult choices this year, listening to presentations on outstanding candidates from Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, and Trinidad and Tobago,” he said.

He added: “We have selected five professionals who uphold the standard of excellence of this programme.”

Providing broader context, programme director Maria Superville‑Nelson said the initiative continues to build a legacy of regional accomplishment. “This is the 21st year of our awards programme,” she said. “We have awarded 66 laureates in the categories of arts and letters, entrepreneurship, public and civic contributions, and science and technology, presenting them with over 32 million Trinidad and Tobago dollars in support.”

Each category winner receives the local currency equivalent of TT$500 000 (about $148 000) to support work that contributes to Caribbean development.

Rose’s selection recognises her international artistic impact and her commitment to addressing social issues through creative expression. Superville‑Nelson described her as “an accomplished visual artist whose work has featured in solo exhibitions in London, New York, Taiwan, and the Caribbean”.

Rose “is a painter, muralist, and performance artist who challenges classism, racism, and colourism through art,” she said, noting her work “has been described as fully executed and intellectually rich”.

Her influence extends beyond galleries and exhibitions. Superville‑Nelson noted Rose is a 2014 Fulbright scholar whose art has featured in major media outlets such as The New York Times and the BBC, while her paintings have appeared on the covers of several Caribbean publications. 

She further emphasised Rose’s investment in the next generation of artists, stating she “devotes considerable time to mentoring emerging artists, ensuring that her own success opens doors for others”.

Rose’s growing international footprint was also underscored. She “has been awarded residencies in Trinidad, South Africa, Suriname, the United States of America, and the Netherlands for a distinguished track record of producing fine art and her commitment to strengthening the art community of Barbados and the wider Caribbean”, said Prof Bourne, who confirmed that Rose will be inducted into the College of Laureates at a gala ceremony later this year. 

Rice’s recognition highlights over a decade of advocacy work supporting vulnerable women, particularly those seeking to leave sex work. Announcing her award, Superville‑Nelson said Rice “has empowered vulnerable women by funding a charity that helps sex workers transition to legal employment”.

Rice is the founder and director of Jabez House, a registered charity that has provided women sex workers with access to vocational training, job placement opportunities, mental health support, food, housing, and basic needs assistance since 2012 in efforts to facilitate their transition process from the trade. 

The scale of Jabez House’s reach was also underscored during the announcement. Superville‑Nelson said the organisation “has helped over 1 000 sex workers, including Barbadians and non‑nationals from a number of countries across the Caribbean”.

Highlighting the family‑centred support offered by the organisation, she noted that “since 90 per cent of the women referred to Jabez House are mothers, the charity also provides additional support through parenting classes and special skills training for vulnerable girls”.

Rice’s academic and collaborative credentials were also cited as key components of her success. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and social work, a master’s in gender and development studies, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in gender and development studies. She also “partners with a range of organisations including government ministries and international entities”, said Superville-Nelson.

She praised the measurable outcomes of Rice’s work, stating that “for founding an organisation that has achieved transition outcomes of over 50 per cent among a stigmatised population of vulnerable women, Shamelle Rice is our 2026 laureate in public and civic contributions”.

The 2026 cohort also includes Jamaican telecommunications entrepreneur Dean Nevers, Guyana‑born American biotech innovator Dr Niven Narain, and Jamaican climate scientist Professor Tannecia Stephenson, with the latter two sharing the Science and Technology award.

Superville‑Nelson stressed that the awards continue to highlight individuals whose work benefits Caribbean societies and strengthens the region’s global voice. The programme is expected to culminate with an induction ceremony later this year, where the laureates will share further insights into their work and impact.