The Art and Artists Bringing Caye Caulker’s Identity to Life

We head now to Caye Caulker, where two vibrant landmarks have become magnets for both tourists and locals. Right in the heart of the island, the Caye Caulker and The Split signs stand tall, bright, bold, and unmistakably Belizean. Each one is splashed with artwork that captures the island’s culture, its easygoing charm, and the natural beauty that keeps visitors coming back. They’re more than photo ops; they’ve become symbols of the village’s identity. In this week’s edition of Belize on Reel, we’re taking you behind the scenes to meet the artist whose creative vision brought these iconic pieces to life. We explore what inspired the designs, and how these installations continue to energize the community. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the story.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

If you’ve travelled across Belize, you’ve probably seen those bright letter signs that mark each community. In Caye Caulker, two of them stand out: the Caye Caulker sign and the iconic Split sign. The village commissioned the Caye Caulker sign in 2018 for Lobster Fest, and the artist behind that vivid underwater design is Armando “Rootsman” Rivero. His colorful work brings the reef to life and captures the spirit of the island in a single snapshot.

 

Armando “Rootsman” Rivero, Artist

“They just gave me an idea and I take it from there. So they wanted the underwater team. So that was my first initial inspiration. But then I figured I could combine the whole thing with animals and the lizard for instance, and the then you go to the underwater with the fish and the sharks, that kind of stuff.”

 

Rivero moved to Caye Caulker at fifteen, and within a year he was already oil painting, driven by the beauty he saw around him. The original sign on the island was painted by another well‑known local artist, but when it started to fade, Rivero stepped in to give it new life. And for Caye Caulker Chair, Seleny Villanueva-Pott, that kind of creativity is exactly what makes the island’s art scene so vibrant, and something she’s proud to show off.

 

Seleny Villanueva-Pott, Chairlady, Caye Caulker

“The Caye Caulker sign  was done initially by Mr. Meegan. So he was the one who designed it, painted it first then it needed repainting, and then Rootsman, I believe came about and painted it. The one in the split is done by Ms. Lilly. And we want to say that these are both islanders. So we have very talented artists on the island.”

 

Not long after the Caye Caulker sign went up, another eye‑catching landmark appeared just down the way. This time, it was The Split sign, now the star of countless vacation photos. The artist behind that vibrant piece is Lilly Alamina, owner of Sea Dih Soul art studio. Her work has quickly become a must‑see spot for both tourists and locals soaking in the island vibes.

 

Lilly Alamina, Artist

“ I got the opportunity to paint that through Neidy Rodriguez. She’s the owner of the split bar and grill. Since we’re good friends, she pulled me aside and she’s I have a project for you if you’re up to it, if you think you can do it. And that was a, that was the biggest one I’ve done thus far. So I was like, I think I can do this. And the split is our premiere spot for socialization, hanging out, drinking, swimming, and you can see the sunrise and the sunset both from the split every day. So I said, we’re gonna pull all the reds, the oranges, the yellows from that sunset you get to see on most days and we’re gonna put that on the sign.”

 

Alamina draws her inspiration from her community. Lilly Alamina has spent her entire life in Caye Caulker, and the island still fuels her creativity every day. Inspiration comes from simple places, her mother’s garden, the view from her front porch, the colors and rhythm of village life. And for her, being recognized as one of the island’s standout artists isn’t just a title, it’s an honor she carries proudly.

 

Lilly Alamina

“What I like is that if anything, we always have each other’s backs. If someone’s looking for someone to do this particular job in this particular way, and we know, oh, this person does that better, this one does that better, we’re giving contact information. We’re putting each other on different jobs. We’re like, we’re we motivate each other and keep each other in the loop.”

 

Alamina says she spent about four days completing the sign after working with the owners of The Split to lock in the design. Rivero, meanwhile, explains that his process was simple, just him and his materials.

 

Armando “Rootsman” Rivero

“I don’t do no sketching. For me, sketching is occupying more time. So I just go straight to the brush.”

 

Today, those painted signs stand as a real source of pride for the people of Caye Caulker. They don’t just show off the island’s natural beauty, they spotlight the homegrown talent that brings its story to life. And the signs are only the beginning. Across the island, you’ll find murals and artwork these creators have added over the years, with even more on the way. Rivero hopes young artists keep pushing themselves, and he shares one piece of advice for anyone dreaming of leaving their mark on the world.

 

Armando “Rootsman” Rivero

“The first thing is to look within. And stay. Stay. How would you say stay on it. Because you always gonna have this support now. It’s you can’t make that stop your inspiration. You have to use it towards your benefit.”

 

So, the next time you’re in Caye Caulker, take a moment to slow down and really look at these signs. Every detail reflects the community’s personality, its pride, and the artists who poured their creativity into making them uniquely Belizean. Britney Gordon for News Five.