ARTIST Michele Curtis has been named as the new chair of the St Paul’s Carnival board.
Michele, who was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Bristol last year, is the creator of the Seven Saints of St Paul’s murals along the carnival route.
She succeeds celebrity chef Levi Roots, who is stepping down after five years.
Dr Curtis, who was born and raised in Bristol in a family of Caribbean descent, staged her Iconic Black Britons exhibition ten years ago and went on to develop her murals, which have played a vital role in celebrating and preserving the city’s black history.
St Paul’s Carnival CIC says on its website: “As the founder of Iconic Black Britons and an advocate for African-Caribbean heritage, Michele Curtis brings a fresh, grassroots perspective to Carnival’s leadership.”
The transition comes at a pivotal time for Carnival, it says, following the launch of the It Takes A City campaign, which aims to bring together citizens, communities, businesses, and corporations to build a shared vision for the future of one of Bristol’s most valued and long-standing cultural events,
“Michele Curtis’ appointment signals an exciting era of collaboration. Her deep connection to St Pauls and dedication to African Caribbean culture and heritage makes her an ideal leader to help drive this vision forward. Under her leadership, the organisation aims to broaden the Carnival’s reach and impact, ensuring that its benefits continue to be felt citywide.”
Michele Curtis served for several years as chair of Bristol West Indian Parents & Friends Association, the organisation that founded the carnival in 1967. She said: “I am excited to work with the team and board of St Pauls Carnival CIC, and continue to leave a legacy of Carnival that is indicative of the vision and mission of its founders. A carnival that is sustainable and continues to share, educate, celebrate and preserve our rich African Caribbean Heritage for future generations.”
LaToyah McAllister-Jones, chief executive of St Paul’s Carnival, added: “The appointment of Michele as the new chair is a very positive start to a new phase for St Paul’s Carnival. Having a strong voice that has such close links to Carnival’s roots and its founders is fantastic for the organisation. I have admired Michele’s work since moving to Bristol in 2015 and the Seven Saints is so deeply connected to how we have framed our work over the past six years. I look forward to working with her and the board.”