Saturday, June 1^st

 6pm at Bajo El Sol Gallery  

IRMARIA : A  Short Film
Filmmakers: Christopher Lawrence & Aariyah Athanase
will be present for Q & A following the screening

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Set in the Virgin Islands, A young girl named Mia and her mother Kierra, experience one of the world’s most powerful hurricanes. As a result Mia realizes what she must do.

Christopher Lawrence, Director and co-creator of the film IrMaria 

Christopher is a 26 year old 3D animator from the United States Virgin Islands. Of his work he says:

“I come from a family of artists, so naturally I grew up always loving art. It is a practice that allowed me to express myself in ways that others could not. Specifically, the medium of animation had a major influence on me growing up. This influence is what drove me to pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Animation from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Animation allows me to create worlds. Some worlds may reflect reality, such as the IrMaria film and others that push the boundaries of human imagination. It allows me to leave something behind that is living and breathing even when I’m long gone. I love the ability to represent Virgin Island’s culture in media because it has been historically unrepresented amongst the wider populace. As a Virgin Island artist, it delights me in knowing I have the ability to share a fresh perspective. Directing the short film IrMaria allowed me to spread awareness, not only about the devastating effects of hurricanes, but also the resilience and courage of the Virgin Island people. “

Aariyah Athanase, Co-creator of the film IrMaria 

Aariyah Athanase, a native St. Johnian, discovered her artistic spark and love for storytelling at a young age. Growing up in a vibrant family full of colorful characters, Aariyah’s curiosity blossomed as she observed their unique personalities and listened to the captivating folktales her aunts would weave, each with their own enchanting twist.

This fascination with stories, fueled by her growing passion for drawing and animation, led Aariyah to nurture her artistic talents of drawing and painting in various mediums throughout her youth. After graduating from the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, she set her sights on the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she pursued a degree in 3D Animation.

During her time at SCAD, Aariyah’s artistic journey took a digital turn, expanding her horizons to embrace the potential of digital art and video production. During her senior year  she co-created the short 3D animated film ‘IrMaria,’ a powerful piece that sought to shed light on the struggles of the Virgin Islands during a time of perceived neglect by the media in the United States.

Armed with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Animation, Aariyah returned home with a fervent mission. She was determined to use her talents to illuminate the rich history and culture of the Virgin Islands, a place that had shaped her identity and inspired her art. Collaborating with cultural bearers and organizations became a cornerstone of her artistic journey. Her internship with the Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park allowed her to produce and narrate the documentary “Passing On to Another” and an educational video series titled “School Kids in the Park.”

Aariyah continues to leverage her expertise in video production, digital illustration, and painting for captivating collaborations. With an eye toward the future, she actively pursues the dream of releasing her own illustration projects.

Supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, Virgin Island Council of the Arts and the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands.  For more information, contact the St John Film Society stjviff@gmail.com or visit www.stjohnfilm.com