This summer, the Old Oven Art Gallery at Fort Young Hotel proudly presents Roots, My Story to Tell, a powerful new solo exhibition by US-based Dominican artist Heston Francis. Opening on July 5 and running through September 3, 2025, the exhibition offers a deeply moving visual journey through personal memory, ancestral heritage, and the enduring vibrancy of Caribbean culture.
Following its debut in Roseau, the exhibition will travel to Bwa Denn at Secret Bay in Portsmouth from October 25 to December 29, 2025, expanding its reach to audiences across the island and beyond.
Francis’ striking collection weaves together stories of resilience, identity, and community through rich imagery and layered textures. Drawing from his own experiences and Dominican roots, Roots, My Story to Tell explores Afro-Caribbean legacies, Kalinago traditions, and colonial histories—painting a heartfelt and complex portrait of the Caribbean spirit.
“This body of work is both a personal journey and a collective narrative,” says Heston Francis. “Through color, symbol, and story, I aim to honor the layers of our past while celebrating the creativity and strength that define who we are.”
Visitors to the Old Oven Art Gallery will be immersed in a space that invites reflection, recognition, and connection. With every brushstroke, Francis reclaims and reimagines history, offering a dynamic and emotional exploration of Caribbean identity. The exhibition is free and open to the public. The gallery opens daily from 10am – 6pm.
View Roots, My Story to Tell, here.
About the Artist
Heston Francis is a Dominican visual artist based in the United Kingdom whose work explores cultural identity, heritage, and the complexities of the Caribbean experience. His practice is rooted in storytelling, memory, and a desire to bridge the gap between generations and geographies.
About Fort Young Hotel & Dive Resort
Located on the water in Roseau, Dominica’s capital, Fort Young Hotel & Dive Resort is the Caribbean’s first All-Inclusive, Island-Included resort. The country’s only downtown hotel, Fort Young Hotel affords guests unmatched proximity to the “Nature Island’s” vibrant culture, delicious cuisine, exhilarating activities and some of the island’s most prized attractions, like Trafalgar Falls, Middleham Falls, Freshwater Lake, segments of the Waitukubuli National Trail, and world-renowned diving. Fort Young Hotel & Dive Resort offers a luxurious sense of seclusion, fine dining and meeting facilities. Fort Young Hotel can be reached at 767-448-5000 or [email protected]
great ambiance for fantastic art work, well deserving aa
Thank you kindly 🙏