Beautifully Broken

When I think of the Bahamas, I think of beautiful beaches, crystal blue water, warm sunshine, and an icy piña colada with a cherry on top.

In September of 2019, a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane touched down on this paradise. The Abaco Islands endured 185mph windspeeds for 24 hours straight in what has been named the most intense tropical cyclone to ever strike the Bahamas. Hurricane Dorian destroyed businesses, schools, and churches, leaving 70,000 people homeless.

One of whom is Samatha Sawyer. With their home destroyed, Sam and her family abruptly moved to West Palm Beach, Florida. She and her brother were moved to a new country, enrolled in a new school, and forced to make new friends.

One of whom happened to be me. I met Sam through my advisory class, and we soon realized we had a lot in common. As I sat and listened to the stories of her home, I just knew I would love to visit one day.

Fast forward two years later, to May 29th of 2022, and that day finally arrived. I was in awe at how a landscape could be so beautifully broken, and how intertwined the entire community was with each other.

Though Hurrican Dorian may have destroyed a lot, it did not destroy the spirit of the people of Abaco. As people are beginning to move back into their homes, they are reminded of all they have been through and the work of the future.

Samatha, who is currently studying painting at Savanah College of Art and Design, uses her experience to cultivate hope within the community.

“Where I live is the root of everything I paint. trying to bring hope has been a reoccurring theme in my work and to show how there were still beautiful elements to Abaco even though it had been destroyed.”