National

Antonius Roberts: “We Will, Refresh And Rebuild”

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Local Bahamian artists who call the Incubator for Collaborative Expression home are now picking up the pieces after Monday’s fire damaged their creative haven.

Published

8 months ago

April 16, 2025

Delvardo Emmanuel

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Local Bahamian artists who call the Incubator for Collaborative Expression home are now picking up the pieces after a fire on April 14th, 2025, damaged their creative haven.

The blaze also tore through the building that once housed Solomon’s Old Trail, Cost Right, and government offices. Now, the artists are holding on to hope, resilience, and their purpose.

Antonius Roberts – Artist & Proprietor, Incubator for Collaborative Expressions
“I got a call, and by the time I came here, the fire was ablaze. Um, and stupidly, I walk in on the property, um, walked all the way to the back here, and then there was a big boom.”

That’s renowned artist, sculptor, and space designer Antonius Roberts recalling the moment he got word that the facility he manages was in jeopardy.

The Incubator for Collaborative Expression, which is located on the BAIC compound, is an incubator space for young and aspiring artists.

But that sanctuary was shaken earlier this week when fire broke out at the building next door.

While the flames were contained, the incubator was hit hard by heat, smoke, and debris.

Antonius Roberts – Artist & Proprietor, Incubator for Collaborative Expressions
“As you look around, the heat from the fire scorched all of our vegetation, um, did a little damage to our roof, destroyed our water system, but we are all fine.”

Roberts took us on a tour of what he calls his life’s work, in a space he calls The Cooler.

He shared his raw emotion as he described what he came so close to losing.

Antonius Roberts – Artist & Proprietor, Incubator for Collaborative Expressions
“The history of Antonius Roberts as an artist from, in this space, from 1979 to the present day. And so, um, a section of this warehouse is dedicated to the, for me, starring and preserving not only my work, um, but the works that I’ve collected from other artists.”

The space is home for six artists. Among those impacted: artist Raquel Rolle, who’s been working inside the incubator.

She says the fire shook her deeply.

Raquel Rolle – Artist
“I was just so nervous. If you ask some of my coworkers, I was kind of like running around the building, like, ‘There was fire, guys!’ Like, I don’t, I wasn’t really nervous and really scared.”

According to Roberts, some of the artwork was damaged by smoke and ash.

However, both artists say they’re using the devastation to fuel their passion and the next phase of restoration.

And that spirit of resilience is already fueling the next phase of restoration.

Raquel Rolle – Artist
“I literally prayed later that night. Like, I just appreciate life, and moving forward, I’m gonna do everything with intention.”

Antonius Roberts – Artist & Proprietor, Incubator for Collaborative Expressions
“The charcoal or the, or the ashes from the fire, we are gonna take those ashes and we are gonna put those ashes back into our fields, and we are gonna use that as, uh, to help us to have fertile grounds in which we can plant new, you know, new suckers, you know, plant new trees.”