Posted: Sunday, September 7, 2025. 9:08 am CST.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Eight Belizean artists were celebrated on Wednesday for their creativity and leadership at the annual Awards for Creative and Cultural Excellence, hosted by the September Celebrations Commission at the House of Culture.
Leroy “The Grandmaster” Young received the Zee Edgell Award for Literary Art, recognizing his pioneering work in dub poetry and spoken word. Mary “Mamie” Martinez was honored with the Rosita Baltazar Award for Dance, for her decades of work in ballet instruction and performance.
The Andy Palacio Award for original Belizean music went to Derrick “Dickey” Straughan, whose Bamiki Bandula band created a unique local sound blending jazz with Belizean rhythms. Andy Chuc of Orange Walk received the Don Elijio Panti Award for preserving indigenous knowledge, through his artistic projects and advocacy for Yucatec Maya language and identity.
Visual artist Gilvano Swasey was awarded the George Gabb Award for his contributions to art and design, while Margaret Welcome earned the Leela Vernon Award for her dedication to handicraft and cultural heritage.
Sharmaine Garcia won the Beverly Smith-Lopez Award for her contributions to acting, theatre, and film, while Diane Haylock received the Outstanding Cultural Leadership Award for her work in theatre, cultural policy, and international cultural diplomacy.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Culture Francis Fonseca and BTB Director Evan Tillett presented the awards.
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Posted: Sunday, September 7, 2025. 9:08 am CST. By Breaking Belize News Staff: Eight Belizean artists were celebrated on Wednesday for their creativity and leadership at
The post Belizean talent recognized with top creative and cultural honors appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
