PRESS RELEASE – THE Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) and the extended arts community extend deepest sympathies to the families of Ian Celestin and CurffyClent Cuthbert Wells on the passing of their loved ones within the past two weeks.
Both young men met their untimely death in unfortunate circumstances at the height of their artistic pursuits. Their love for the arts was evident in the passion which they poured into their craft. The CDF is saddened and shocked by the news and wishes the family, friends and acquaintances of the artists comfort, strength and peace during this extremely difficult time.
Ian Celestin was an exceptional dancer who, along with a group of colleagues, recently performed an interpretive dance piece at this year’s Cultural Icon Series, celebrating the life and work of literary pioneer Garth St. Omer. Celestin was a student of medicine with the American Institute of Medicine intent on becoming a general surgeon and entrepreneur. His grace as a dancer was remarkable and commendable, after spending close to a decade training in the art of dance.
Curffy Wells was a young drummer who was registered as a participant in the Sound Waves: Transforming Youth at Risk through Music Project, a programme with its main aim being to engage youth at risk between 18 and 35 in a music-focused training exercise. The 12-month training programme is being executed by the CDF with support from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF), Department of Local Government, Culture and the Creative Industries as well as the Saint Lucia School of Music (SLSM). Participants are set to graduate from the project which commenced in 2016, in mid-November of this year.