Lights, Camera, Conservation: ART LOVES Fiji's Star-Studded Expedition

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February 10, 2025

A groundbreaking volunteer initiative, Art LOVES Fiji, brought together a team of renowned creatives, philanthropists, and celebrities from the United States to the breathtaking Fiji Islands to raise awareness and give back. Produced by Art LOVES Earth in partnership with VRTU Studios, this unique project combined creativity, community support, and environmental conservation to form long term local partnerships and make a lasting impact on the islands.

A Mission of Giving Back

Over 12 days, the Art LOVES Fiji team visited multiple Fijian islands, collaborating with local communities and organizations, including Heart Heroes and Corals for Conservation. The mission was clear: to experience Fiji from a new perspective, share its stories, and give back to the villages through donations and impactful storytelling.

Key Highlights:

Volunteer Team

The beauty of the Art LOVES Fiji project is that the entire expedition was made possible through the help of volunteer producers, celebrity actors, filmmakers, photographers, models, and philanthropists dedicated who their time and talents.

Prominent participants included actresses Abbey Cowen, Olivia Holt, Rumer Willis, and Tallulah Willis and Miss Supermodel Fiji Alisha Idana. The production team included filmmaker and founder of Art LOVES Earth, Ryan Hattaway, producers Sara Catanzano and Dustin Heil and cinematographer Enoch Kim.

Somo Somo Village

Advocating for Women in the Villages

The team visited several of the most remote island villages including Yasawa-i-rara, Somo Somo and Tamusua Villages where they participated in womens and childrens empowerment activities with the locals.
Supported the Sustainable Nama Harvesting Program with local village women, a women’s empowerment feature showcasing a local partnership with Nama Fiji that supports the local women as their primary income source. The program was designed to create opportunity for the women of the Somo Somo islands. It generates a new income source to compliment that of the traditional village system and safeguard an important natural resource in a pristine environment.
Art LOVES Earth donated new clothes, supplies and aqua shoes for the local women harvesters.

Yasawa-i-rara Island School

Empowering the Local Youth Through Art & Heart

The team learned about the effects of Rheumatic Heart Disease which is affecting one child in every classroom and are launching a fundraising effort to help the kids in partnership with Heart Heroes Fiji
Art LOVES Earth donated school supplies and toys to the local school children in multiple villages
The team connected with the locals and participated in arts and crafts projects with the kids, including painting, making friendship bracelets, as well as singing and storytelling

Social Impact – Heart Heroes Fiji

Overview of Rheumatic Heart Disease

Over 40 million people around the world suffer from Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD), a preventable and treatable form of cardiovascular disease that claims 300,000 lives each year. Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and RHD largely affects disadvantaged populations. It affects the world’s poorest, most vulnerable populations and imposes heavy costs on the health system that can least afford it. It is the most commonly acquired heart disease in young people under the age 25 and it often begins in early childhood as strep throat.

People who die from RHD are mostly found in low and middle income countries (such as Fiji). Their deaths are preventable as the necessary medical knowledge and antibiotics to treat RHD has existed for more than half a century. Crowding in household and poverty are associated with an increased risk of developing ARF. The number of ARF cases in the pacific is amongst the highest in the world and predominantly affects children aged 5 to 15 years. If left untreated, Rheumatic Heart Disease can lead to heart valve damage, stroke, heart failure and death. The prevalence of this preventable illness is a clear indicator of the inequalities and limitations of the healthcare systems in endemic countries.

RHD in Fiji Today

1 in 50 school aged children can have the disease
2nd leading cause of death (2nd to drowning) amongst 5 – 29 years old
is responsible for at least 60 -70 deaths in Fiji
affects Indigenous Fijians more than Indo-Fijians
is more prevalent in women.

Make a Donation to Heart Heroes

Every Child deserves a Healthy Heart in Fiji, Rheumatic Heart disease (RHD) silently affects one child in every classroom. It transforms active playful 5–15-year-old children into children who struggle to climb stairs or play with friends.

Heart Heroes Fiji works to change these stories. Through early detection, community support, and education, we help prevent RHD and support families facing this challenge. Our patient-led programs ensure no child or family faces this journey alone.

Your donation helps Heart Heroes:

- Screen more children for early detection
- Support families through treatment
- Educate communities about prevention
- Save young lives

Join us in giving Fiji’s children the chance for a healthier future. 100% of donations go directly to Heart Heroes a 501(c)(3)

Environmental Campaigns with Impact

Environmental Impact – Planting a Coral Reef Visible From Space

Raising Global Awareness About the Devastating Effects of Coral Bleaching

Another centerpiece of our campaign was helping plant a new coral reef in Fiji as part of the UN-endorsed “Reefs of Hope” coral restoration program, led by the NGO Corals for Conservation. “BULA Reef” is strategically designed to form a breathtaking image visible from overhead, will greet passengers flying into the country, serving as a living symbol of our commitment to ocean conservation. It will stand as a powerful message of hope, inspiring action to protect our oceans. This immersive experience aims to cultivate empathy and inspire individuals to become active participants in protecting our coral reefs.

ART LOVES Fiji: Coral Planting Projects

Art LOVES Earth produced an underwater photo campaign to raise awareness about coral bleaching with a “Ghosts of the Reef” theme featuring Miss SuperModel Fiji, Alisha Idana, styled by New York fashion designer Kim Mesches and photographed by Ryan Hattaway

“Ghosts of the Reef” campaign by Ryan Hattaway featuring Miss Supermodel Fiji Alisha Idana

Make a Donation to Corals for Conservation

Coral reefs are in a crisis due to climate change, overfishing and pollution. Corals for Conservation gardening methods offer a practical solution to keeping corals alive for decades to come. Reefs of Hope focuses on nature-based and livelihoods based solutions. It builds on MPAs and best practice management, while focusing on preventing extinction of coral species on reefs subject to severe marine heat waves. Pilot sites in seven countries have been established and refinements to the strategies are ongoing, based on monitoring results from diverse ecological and cultural settings. With the recent alarming ocean thermal spike, a climate emergency has emerged, and the window of opportunity for saving corals is rapidly closing. Major upscaling is needed.

Join in giving our oceans the chance for a healthier future. 100% of donations go directly to Corals for Conservation a 501(c)(3)

ART LOVES Fiji: Making An Impact

ART LOVES Fiji’s “Scorched Earth” Campaign for Climate Change

A dramatic sunrise photo campaign with Miss SuperModel Fiji Alisha Idana at the Sigatoka Sand Dunes of Fiji photographed by Ryan Hattaway, evoking a “scorched earth” aesthetic to spotlight climate change. The shoot was styled by Sara Catanzano.

ART LOVES Fiji’s “Honeybee Harvest” Campaign with the Intercontinental Hotel Fiji Chef Team

Our immersive Honeybee harvesting and a chef’s table experience at the Intercontinental Fiji Resort educated our team about the importance of honeybees in our ecosystem along with sustainable beekeeping practices. Following the experience the executive chefs at the hotel prepared an amazing 6 course gourmet food pairing all made with fresh honey that was a sweet treat.

Tokoriki Food Forest Reforestation Project

The team learned about the Food Forest project, a creative reforestation project focusing on sustainable food planting strategies for the island villages and schools of Fiji, spearheaded by Tokoriki Resort. The goals of the Food Forest Reforestation project are to teach the kids and local communities how to sustainably grow fruit and income producing plants, fruits and vegetables to improve air quality in the villages, provide healthy food options for families and schools and additional opportunities for income from the locals selling surplus food back to the resorts.

Cultural Exchange

The team immersed themselves in tribal songs, fire dancing, kava ceremonies, cave diving, and local chef and spa experiences, capturing the essence of Fijian culture.

The entire Art LOVES Fiji campaign was aligned with Tourism Fiji’s sustainable tourism goals, outlined as the “Five Core Pillars of the Fiji Experience – Where Happiness Comes Naturally.”

After visiting this beautiful country and falling in love with the people and culture, we completely agree!

Unwavering Support from Partners:

In addition, the project would not be possible without the generous support of our production and travel partners. The Fiji expedition travel production and video pre/post production was coordinated and donated by VRTU Studios. All travel accommodations including flights and hotels were made possible by our local partners including Nama Fiji and Fiji Airways, as well as seven luxury hotels, including Tokoriki Resort, Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, Nanuya Island Resort, Navutu Stars Resort, First Landing Beach Resort & Villas, Yasawa Island Resort & Spa, and Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa. Additional contributions from South Sea Cruises, Cloud 9, Likuri Island, Reef Safari, Tewaka, Huggaplanet, and Kim Mesches Styling.

Raising Awareness:

The Art LOVES Fiji team documented their journey through films, photography, and social media posts shared with millions of followers, amplifying awareness of Fijian culture, environmental challenges, and the need for sustainable tourism.

Behind the Scenes

A Global Vision

Art LOVES Fiji is part of a broader campaign by Art LOVES Earth, which plans 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.