Turning Trash Into Treasure: Art LOVES Cayman


Art LOVES Earth embarked on its inaugural Influencer Expedition in the Cayman Islands, bringing together a global team of 20 artists, photographers, filmmakers, models, actors, activists, divers, and chefs. With a shared mission of raising awareness about plastic pollution, the expedition marked the beginning of a powerful movement blending creativity, community outreach, and environmental conservation.

A Collaborative Effort for Change

In partnership with the Captain Planet Foundation, Plastic Free Cayman, and VRTU Studios, the Art LOVES Earth team volunteered in a series of impactful initiatives. From beach cleanups to art activations, the goal was to inspire change while shining a spotlight on local champions like Steff McDermott, a young environmental advocate who earned a grant from the Captain Planet Foundation and Lonely Whale Foundation for her efforts to eliminate single-use plastics in the Cayman Islands.

Trash To Treasure

The team’s journey began with a warm welcome from Miss Cayman herself, who shared the challenges facing the islands. Fueled by this message, Art LOVES Earth and Plastic Free Cayman led a beach cleanup alongside local high school students. Over 2,000 pounds of plastic waste was collected and later transformed into striking art sculptures at Stoak’d Cayman Studios, led by local artist Marc Laurenson. These pieces became a visual reminder of the impact of plastic pollution and the potential for turning trash into treasure.

Marc Laurenson’s art, crafted from upcycled trash, bridges creativity with conservation. His bold works encourage reflection on our consumption habits and their environmental consequences, inspiring viewers to rethink waste and embrace sustainable solutions.

Dive & Dine: Tackling Invasive Species

The mission expanded underwater, with the team earning scuba certifications through Ambassador Divers before embarking on their first open water dive to hunt invasive lionfish. These predators, harmful to local ecosystems, were skillfully prepared by chefs at The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman for a “Dive & Dine” event. The dinner showcased the importance of addressing invasive species through creative culinary solutions, advocating for their inclusion on menus to help control their population.

Amplifying Awareness Through Social Reach

Beyond the projects, the team’s combined social media following of over 15 million ensured the message of sustainability resonated far and wide. Their efforts reached millions of young audiences even before the teaser film’s release, proving the power of influencers in driving environmental change.

Culminating in Recognition

The Captain Planet Foundation’s Benefit Gala showcased the impact of the expedition. The Art LOVES Earth documentary teaser premiered to an audience of 750, including Ted Turner, Adrian Grenier, and Chris Tucker. Steff McDermott, who was featured in the documentary, was honored with the Young SuperHero For Earth Award, further solidifying the expedition’s success in fostering future environmental leaders.

Lighting Up the Coastlines

The expedition also featured breathtaking collaborations with world-renowned light painting artist Eric Paré, who created ethereal “Light Up The World” artworks along Grand Cayman’s serene coastlines. These stunning visuals, shared across social media, captured the beauty of the islands while underscoring the urgency of conservation efforts.

Eric Pare is one of the most recognizable light painting artists at the moment. His work has been featured on CNN, MTV, BBC, Vice, TEDx, and he has recently worked on large scale campaigns with Adobe, HP, Intel, Facebook, Canon and Microsoft.

Building a Movement

The Art LOVES Cayman Expedition exemplified how art, community, and action can spark global change. By transforming plastic waste into art, tackling invasive species, and amplifying their mission through powerful storytelling, Art LOVES Earth proved that even small steps can lead to monumental impact.

Stay tuned for more exciting initiatives as Art LOVES Earth continues to empower communities and protect our planet. Together, we can turn creativity into conservation and create a sustainable future for generations to come.

A Global Vision

Art LOVES Earth is planning similar initiatives in other countries in 2025 and beyond. The organization is actively seeking partnerships with tourism boards, content creators, brands, talent and donors aligned with its mission to combine art and environmental advocacy to create meaningful change.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *