Artist turns Frederiksted into his canvas

The picturesque town of Frederiksted is filled with captivating pockets of natural beauty that are fit to be captured on canvas, or maybe even on an empty wall or other vacant public space. Artist Hakim Callwood hooked up with Clean Sweep Frederiksted and created two such murals that are catching eyes in the sleepy town.

Callwood, 27, is a freelance artist and designer who was born in Columbus, Ohio, but spent some of his formative years living on St. Croix before moving back to Ohio.

“My dad Edwin Callwood was from St. Thomas, but we moved to St. Croix when I was very young. I loved it here and even when I moved back to the states, I visited during the summers and I have many great memories,” he said.

The elder Callwood died in 2012 and Hakim Callwood said he had not been back to the island since then. That is until this past February, when he answered a social media post to work on an art project on St. Croix.

“It was just so surreal and I am very appreciative of the opportunity to come back and contribute to the place that had contributed to the person I am today and my love of art.”

Virginia Clairmont, executive director of Clean Sweep Frederiksted, said she has posted the message on the group’s Facebook page and someone tagged Callwood. “He responded right away and grasped the concept that we want to share that will draw people to Frederiksted,” she said.