Bridgetown is in the midst of a transformation. A significant stretch of the waterfront is a hive of activity: cranes are constantly in motion, while fluttering banners announce the birth of a modern new neighbourhood — promising jobs, growth, and a fresh face for the city.
Just a few steps away, on this quiet Saturday afternoon, Bridgetown’s formerly grand colonial buildings — somewhat neglected — seem to be dozing, if not completely abandoned.
Accompanying a friend, I hesitantly push open the weathered door of a building that looks long deserted. We cross a room cluttered with tools, paint cans and sculptures and exit through another door. A wonderful surprise awaits! A beautiful square patio opens up before us, wrapped around a lush green island of thriving plants. Children are everywhere. There’s a storyteller, an activity leader, a crafts table, books, notebooks, snacks… The space is bursting with joy, energy, and life. “It’s a reading workshop for International Book Day,” my friend explains. I’m instantly swept away by the magic of the place, the children’s laughter echoing around me. Barbados never fails to surprise me — and yet, I still have absolutely no idea where I am.
Suddenly, the creator of this hidden gem appears: Israel Mapp, a multidisciplinary designer who abandoned his career as an architect to pursue his dream — an artistic and cultural collaborative center devoted to the Bridgetown community.
This complex of two-story buildings once housed the well-known Beckwith Mall, a popular spot for Bajans*, before being gradually abandoned. From 2016, Israël fought for months to be allowed to adopt the site. With the help of volunteers, he spent months clearing the courtyard of rubble and overgrowth, sanding, reinforcing, and repainting.
Thanks to donations and grants, Israel—who defines himself as creative placemaker—breathed new life into the space, rebaptised Union at Beckwith and created by Union Collaborative Inc, a nonprofit run by a five-member board. Nature has reclaimed its place, and hope has too. Israel believes in the project.
Little by little, he’s taken over the forgotten spaces—an old flea market, a cobbler’s stall — and transformed them into creative hubs: a studio for ceramics and weaving, a library that still features a stunning street mural by the late, renowned urban artist Izebo, and a street-facing gallery window for showcasing local work. Soon, a women’s ceramic workshop will open its doors.
This ever-evolving place, growing as funds allow, now hosts artist residencies, cultural identity talks, book launches, writing workshops, kids’ activities, and teen debates.
The possibilities are endless, and goodwill is everywhere. Only funding is scarce. But Israel keeps pushing forward, tirelessly seeking investment to fulfil his double dream: give Bridgetown’s residents a vibrant space for cultural expression — and above all, to preserve the soul of Bridgetown, saving the heart of the city from the bulldozers.
Author : Jihane Sfeir
English Translation by Joy Lewis (https://www.aaatranslationservicesbb.com/en/)