Paulette Fortuné is a third-year UWI student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Visual Arts. "Since I was drawing with crayons I knew I wanted to do something with art."

Now, at age 42, she will be graduating along with her daughter Melissa, 22, who is also at UWI studying Spanish and Latin American History.

From May 1 to 11 UWI held "Art & Design 2005" at the National Museum , where graduating students displayed their final projects in their various courses. Paulette had her work displayed in all four categories, Caribbean Art and Aesthetic, Art Studio, Design Studio and Film and Video.

"Everything I do is because of my spiritual background" said Paulette. This especially holds for her artwork. Her piece for Caribbean Art and Aesthetics, entitled "The Cross The Glory" ties in the colour and solemnity of Holy Week with the vibrancy of Caribbean culture.

Using aspects of the Catholic Church's tradition, she uses this installation to educate about the depth of the symbolism and colour in Catholic tradition.

Paulette Fortuné's "The Cross The Glory"

Mrs Fortuné recognises that religion is a great part of Caribbean culture and we see every week how Caribbean culture is making its way into the Mass, especially in artistic and colourful chasubles and the vibrant music. "In the Catholic Church every creed and race really find an equal place."

"The Cross The Glory" also includes photos from the re-enactment of Christ's passion by the youths of Fatima Church, Curepe during Holy Week this year.

On May 6 the students of the Film and Video course had their work displayed in a film festival held on the museum compound at 7 p.m. Paulette's five-minute film, a music video entitled "Why Do You Cry Mary?" was really a project nine years in the making. She says it was "the longest pregnancy I've been through."

Nine years ago Paulette was inspired to write the song, Why Do You Cry Mary? The next day she found out that a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes in Diego Martin had cried tears of blood on that same day. She since held the hope of recording the song, but did not know where to begin.

Nine years later she was referred to Jason Dasent, an inspiring man who, despite being visually impaired, owns a recording studio. He encouraged her to do her own vocals for the record. She then set about making the music video with the help and expertise of the people from Living Water who did the filming, and editing. She wants the video to be used as a tool for evangelisation.

"This went beyond just an exam. It's about educating people to make us better." Paulette hopes the video can be shown in schools and on the media to reach as many people as possible.

Paulette with her tile art entitled "Remembering"

For the Art Studio aspect Fortuné presented three paintings. She wanted to display a fourth one, a painting of Mary called Her Journey but was unable to. Design Studio saw Paulette's work on terra cotta tiles, ceramic tiles, wall plates and coasters. The tile art and the paintings were dedicated to her grandmother and the simplicity of the "old time days".

Paulette Fortuné is wife to Lawrence Fortuné, mother of two and stepmother of five. After 16 years as a teacher at St Xavier's, she moved on to a career as a batik artist for the tourist market in some of the other Caribbean islands. Although she only did art up to Form 3 in school, she always wanted the chance to pursue further study in the field. She has finally achieved this dream. Congratulations Paulette!