ANGOSTURA Ltd has introduced limited-edition, artistic packaging for its premium rum, Angostura Founders Reserve 1824.
In a news release on December 24, Angostura said the limited-edition packaging is available in designs from four leading TT artists – Sara Knights, Nicholas Huggins, Shawn Chong-Ashing and Bianca Peake.
The release highlighted Ashing’s and Peake’s contribution who chose to represent dance through the ages with his contribution.
“This design references the smooth flow of the nation’s culture through the depiction of a belé dancer and a masquerader.
“Bianca Peake’s exclusive design pays homage to Trinbagonian identity through her distinctive watercolour artwork, exploring our sense of self as a nation in a declaration of identity through art.”
CEO Ian Forbes said the packaging honours Angostura’s legacy and craftsmanship while embracing modern creativity.
“Each box in this limited-edition release is a collector’s item for both rum enthusiasts and connoisseurs of fine art,” Forbes said.
The limited-edition packaging is available at Angostura Solera Wines and Spirits at M6 Plaza, Chaguanas; Gopaul Lands, Marabella; Albion Energy Plaza, Port of Spain; Angostura’s head office, Laventille and East Gates Mall, Trincity. It will also be available in duty free stores from next week.
Tropical Dreams, that’s the name of 35-year-old Nicholas Huggins’ latest art exhibition which runs from December 16-20 at the Art Society of Trinidad and Tobago, Federation Park, Port of Spain.
The exhibition features 64 pieces that explore everyday life and memories in TT. It is the final instalment in a trilogy that began with Up to Now (2023) and Field Trip (2024).
The head of Backyard Design Company, Huggins has built an award-winning creative studio, earning multiple gold and silver Addy awards and the prestigious Charlie Award for his steelpan-themed Google Doodle. His large-scale installations can be seen across public spaces such as C3 Centre, East Gates Mall and the Phase 2 panyard. He has also created album art for Kes The Band.
–
According to Huggins, 12 of his 64 pieces are still life pieces that show typical things that most Trinidadians have in their home – Angostura bitters, fruits, veggies, Crix and more. “I want the pieces to feel relatable and to shine a light on the common, everyday moments of life,” he shared.
A love for art
A resident of St Ann’s, Huggins always had a love for art. When he was younger, he entered a lot of art competitions and was always drawing or painting. Upon attending CIC (St Mary’s College), his interest continued to grow and he pursued art for both CXC and CAPE. Encouraged by his parents and art teacher Andre Reyes, he pursued his bachelor of fine arts in graphic design at Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia. In 2013, Huggins returned to TT to work as a graphic designer and has since gained international recognition. TT, however, remains the heart of his visual language.
–
Questioned on what Tropical Dreams means to him and what inspired the title of this exhibition, Huggins related, “Coming up with the title of an exhibition is always a challenge. I have a list of potential names and this was one of my favourites from the list. To me, a tropical dream gives a sense of our memories of living in Trinidad and the broader Caribbean, and the hopes that we have for the place that we call home.”
The exhibition grew out of a daily practice Huggins started on January 1 – creating a new piece of art every single day to share on his Instagram page. “I have now done well over 300 pieces this year, ranging from quick sketches to entire paintings” he said. “Because these are all derived from this project, it’s almost like a visual journal of 2025 for me.”
–
Asked if there is a particular piece that feels like the heart of the exhibition for him, Huggins shared that would be a huge wall in the gallery that will have over 25 small pieces arranged together. “All of these pieces are from my daily art challenge and include drawings with ink, water colours, pastels and acrylic paintings” he said. “It’s such a mix of work and shows an insight into what interested me this year.”
Although he is known for his digital work, this exhibition marks a shift in medium for Huggins. “This is the first time I have spent a focused amount of time honing my skills as a painter,” he explained. So thematically, the work may be similar to some of my other work, but just executed in a much different way, as there are many more original art mediums this time around – paintings, ink drawings, watercolour and pastels.”
–
Ironically, the digital pieces were the hardest to create. “I really wanted to do work that felt new. I felt renewed creatively through working on the paintings and every time I sat down to work on a digital piece that sense of inspiration wasn’t hitting,” he said. Inspiration finally struck while on vacation in November – “sometimes that’s how it goes.”
Asked what he wants viewers to feel, Huggins shared that he hopes they can see themselves and their lives in the pieces. “As artists, you are capturing moments in time, so I would like the viewer to feel that their lives and surroundings have been captured in these pieces.”
A new chapter
Questioned on how international recognition impacted his creative direction, Huggins pointed that he sees awards as an indicator that he is creating a body of work that awards jurors feel is noteworthy but he emphasised that client satisfaction remains his priority. “A project like the Google Doodle put my name on the map a little bit as it was such a big project as far as the number of eyes that saw it. So, these moments are good because as an artist I want to share my work with others, and projects like the Google Doodle enabled my work to be seen by a lot of people.”
In addition to being an artist and leading Backyard Design Company, Huggins also oversees his gallery space at 12 Mucurapo Road. Managing all three roles, he noted, takes passion and structure – not just creativity. “It definitely is a challenge to balance what each aspect of my professional and personal life demands of my time,” he said. He credits a strong team at Backyard Design Company for keeping operations running smoothly, along with dedicated support at his gallery. As for his personal art practice, he explained, “That really depends on me…I work on that as I see fit, following the muse.” He added that his wife, Alex Beadon Huggins, also plays an important role, particularly on the marketing side, helping him keep all the pieces aligned.
With Tropical Dreams, Huggins closes a creative chapter – and prepares to open another. “My wife and I are expecting our first baby next year,” he revealed. “With the growth of our family, I plan to take a break from exhibiting for a few years and focus on my design agency, my family and my gallery.”
Still, he is optimistic about the future – whatever it brings. “…As I go into 2026 about to become a father, I will follow the muse as best as I can and see what that brings me.
“I already have tonnes of ideas of what can be next, but right now I am focusing on Tropical Dreams and making sure that it is goes as smoothly as possible.”
When asked what he wants to say to TT’s young creatives, Huggins urged them – “Just keep doing what you are doing. Be patient, follow your interests and stay curious.”
Tropical Dreams opens December 16 from 5 pm-9 pm and continues until December 20 during the society’s regular hours.
AFTER organising and successfully hosting his first solo art exhibition last year, local artist Nicholas Huggins said he would wait some years before doing another, because of the extent of work that went into it.
But while artists may take breaks, creativity never truly goes on vacation. Huggins returns to the Art Society, Port of Spain, on December 14 with another exhibition, titled Field Trip.
Huggins grew up in St Ann’s and Maraval. He attended the Bishop Anstey Junior School, and then St Mary’s College.
He also studied graphic design at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, US.
The founder of Backyard Design Co, is mainly known for his digital art, but also does traditional paintings, sketches and charcoal drawings.
Artist Nicholas Huggins poses with his piece titled Bay View. – Photo courtesy Jason Audain
He does both portrait and landscape art, with many being based on flora and fauna. His subjects range from old buildings to modern houses, to vehicles driving along roadways, to vendors selling on the street and birds taking flight.
And unless it is one of his sketches, ink or charcoal drawings, you can expect to see a rainbow of bright hues throughout his pieces.
He was the main artist behind the 2022 Google Doodle featuring the steelpan.
Back then, he had told Newsday that Google contacted him in June 2020 saying they were interested in working with him.
He has worked with several local companies, including Angostura, Hadco, Digicel, Bertie’s Pepper Sauce and Munch Kings Ice Cream.
You can also see his work on billboards, as well as at C3 Centre, East Gates Mall, the Queen’s Park Oval and Phase II Pan Groove panyard, where he has vibrant murals.
Last December, he held his first solo exhibition, Up To Now, which showcased all his work, “up to now,” at the time. He had only had his work featured in group shows before that.
Golden Hour by Nicholas Huggins. –
As for Field Trip, he told Newsday, “This will be all brand-new work. A hundred per cent of the stuff that would be in this exhibition would have been finished in this calendar year.”
He said the name speaks to taking visitors on a “field trip of my art, mind and imagination.”
He added that it is also a nod to the nostalgia of things people enjoyed as children.
“Of course, all of the work is really, really inspired by TT. So all of the work is really going to be very reminiscent to people and very familiar to people as well.”
Sunny by artist Nicholas Huggins.. –
He recalled the amount of work which went into the 2023 exhibition and that he had said, “I don’t know if I’m going to be able to do something like this again for another couple of years.”
But the creative spirit had other plans.
“I started doing work this year. I made a post on Instagram every day just to kind of keep myself fresh in my creativity. And then by about May, I started seeing this kind of new body of work coming out and I was like, ‘You know what? Let me just strike while the iron is hot.’
“The last exhibition was received so well, so I said I would put on a second exhibition one time.”
He said last year, the overall planning was difficult, as he still runs his graphic design agency as well as doing his solo work.
“It was just a lot of work, because during the day I was doing my graphic design work, and then in the evening I’m doing my illustration work and making sure everything is good for the exhibition.”
Taking a Five by artist Nicholas Huggins.. –
He thanked his wife, Alex Huggins, for her support in making it happen.
The best-sellers last time around were his digital pieces and ink drawings, so he said he took note of that to guide his preparations for the upcoming one.
He is still fine-tuning some pieces; he spent around 40 hours in total on one of them.
“Sometimes I just don’t like to keep track of the time (spent) because it can be kind of overwhelming…I’m always trying to push the needle forward in terms of my work.”
Huggins posts his digital work online regularly and deliberately. While he understands some people may wish to buy printed work from him, he said he also understands some people may just want to use it as a wallpaper.
“I have a story highlight (section of Instagram) that people could go and screenshot my pieces for that reason.
“People would show me their phone background and they’ll be one of my pieces, and I’m really happy for that and I encourage people to use it.”
He said he is not too concerned about people possibly printing his work on their own, as his pieces are all signed and numbered, and the resolution, if they print it, would not be the best.
Naming his work is a special process for him, especially when it is going to be publicly showcased.
Wish You Were by artist Nicholas Huggins. –
“I work on all the pieces and I lay them out how it’s going to flow within the exhibition, and then name it.
“It’s kind of done to sort of tell a story when people are walking through the exhibition. So I like to see all the pieces completed and I like to see how everything is going to flow…I think the names are really going to guide the viewer through the exhibition.”
The titles include Bay View, Golden Hour, High Hope and Sunny.
He added, “I’m hoping to have a lot of small surprises in store so that when people come, it’s going to be a little bit different to atypical exhibition.”
The new work includes illustrations of Pigeon Point, the Magnificent Seven buildings in Port of Spain, and UWI.
The one of UWI, he said, “is going to be very architectural-based. That’s the piece that I’m probably the most excited about and I’m most excited to see printed and hung up in the gallery.”
High Hope by artist Nicholas Huggins. –
He hopes those who attended last year’s exhibition can see “progression in the work and progression in the entire experience.”
The exhibition, sponsored by Angostura, opens on December 14 from 5-9 pm, then runs from December 16-19 from 12-6 pm.
“Every single day I’m going to be at the gallery similarly to the last exhibition,” he said.
The Art Society is at Federation Park, Port of Spain.
OVER a year after uniting Trinidad and Tobago nationals around the world with his work on a Google doodle celebrating the steelpan, and after a decade of being a professional artist, Nicholas Huggins is hosting his first solo exhibition – Up To Now.
Mainly known for his digital art, the 33-year-old hopes to showcase all the different forms of art he is capable of creating.
Huggins is the founder of local business Backyard Design Co. He and his team have designed labels for popular local products including Bertie’s Pepper Sauce, Munch Kings Ice Cream and Nariel Cooking Oil, among others. He has also worked for the likes of Kes the Band, Angostura, McDonald’s, Digicel, bmobile, Hadco and a host of other companies.
In addition, he has created murals at C3 Centre, East Gates Mall, Phase II Pan Groove panyard and the Queen’s Park Oval.
TT artist Nicholas Huggins. – Corri Latapy
However, he is most popularly known for Google doodles’ July 26, 2022 feature – an animated video about the steelpan.
Google had said it was “celebrating TT’s national instrument and the history behind it,” as it was the 71st anniversary of the Trinidad All-Steel Pan Percussion Orchestra’s performance at the Festival of Britain.
Huggins, along with 3D artist and motion designer Mick Seegobin, jazz trumpeter Etienne Charles and founder of the Phase II Pan Groove, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, worked together on it.
Houses on a Hill by Nicholas Huggins. –
Huggins told Newsday after that achievement, more people began showing interest in his work.
“I think that as a designer, as an artist, as a creator, the more you work with bigger clients, the more people come to you.
“Exactly one month after, Mick (Seegobin) and I worked on an animation for Republic Bank for Independence Day, and that was just one of the first of many opportunities.”
What sets him apart from other artists, he said, is that he tries to be as versatile as possible.
Mango Season by Nicholas Huggins. –
Huggins has a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, US.
It was only recently when a friend reminded him he graduated a decade ago that it hit him, “I haven’t had a solo show up to now.”
The name of his exhibition stemmed directly from that thought, and he told Newsday it can have two meanings: “No solo show up to now, but also, here is all that I’ve been working on up to now.”
The exhibition will be held at the Art Society, Port of Spain from December 19-23.
Cocoa Shed by Nicholas Huggins. –
It will be open to the public from 5-8pm on December 19, then 12-6pm every other day.
Visitors can expect to see prints of his digital pieces and paintings, as well as charcoal and ink drawings.
He added that it will also include some of the earlier sketches he did for the Google doodle that “no one has really seen.
“It’s really going to be an all-encompassing view of my work that I think is my best work in the last ten years.”
TT artist Nicholas Huggins. – Corri Latapy
While creating art for clients is his “bread and butter,” he ensures he makes time to create what he wants as well.
“That keeps my work fresh and is a really good way for clients to see what they could also have.
“Come see what my passions are, what I like to illustrate, paint and draw. I want people to see a wide range of work coming from me and my studio.”
And generally, he said, feedback on his art has been very positive over the years, which he credits to its being “very Caribbean.
“I try to illustrate a lot of things people in TT would recognise, whether it’s fruit stands, old houses, aspects of Carnival…When people are able to see themselves and see their surroundings, I think that’s what makes the difference.”
He said organising the exhibition is a lot of hard work, but he is very excited about it.
USERS who visited the online search engine Google’s homepage on Tuesday were able to hear the sound of this country’s national instrument, the steelpan.
Google regularly features interactive and informative doodles on its homepage.
And on Tuesday, it said it was “celebrating Trinidad and Tobago’s national instrument and the history behind it,” as it was the 71st anniversary of the Trinidad All-Steel Pan Percussion Orchestra’s (TASPO) performance at the Festival of Britain.
In a tweet on Tuesday morning, Google doodles said, “#DYK (Did you know) there was only one acoustic instrument invented during the 20th century? The steelpan was created by resilient and innovative musicians in TT.”
When you click on the doodle, you are redirected to an animated YouTube video.
It begins with a truck driving through the streets and moves to a man forging an instrument from an oil drum, transitioning into someone playing the finished product.
A screengrab of Google’s doodle on July 26, 2022.
It then shows steelbands performing at Panorama, and also features a panyard, doubles and snow cone vendors, among other things.
TT illustrator and graphic designer Nicholas Huggins illustrated the video, and 3D artist and motion designer Mick Seegobin did motion design. Jazz trumpeter Etienne Charles was the composer and the soloist was arranger and founder of the Phase II Pan Groove, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe.
Other players credited include Josanne Francis, Jonathan Castro and Luke Walker.
Huggins posted on Twitter: “Well the cat is out the bag. I have created a Google doodle on steelpan! Happy to keep flying the TT flag high!”
Nicholas Huggins. Photo by Gabriella Wyke
He told Newsday he was initially approached by Google in June 2020 and the project was intended to be a static image to be used the following month.
“The art director at Google Doodles got in touch with me on Instagram and basically introduced herself and said they have a project they want me to work on.
“At that point in time, I didn’t really know what it was, because they needed me to sign a NDA (non-disclosure agreement) before I was even able to hear what the topic was.”
After he signed the NDA, the idea was explained to him and he was thrilled.
But he felt TT’s culture was too rich to be represented by just a static image.
“I said we should animate it, add music…(I knew) there was so much more that can be done to showcase the steelpan, and I think the music was one of the most important aspects of the whole thing.”
Once the Google Doodles team supported his vision, they asked for recommendations for pannists, which was how Charles and Sharpe came on board.
“The process was really good. I think, definitely, my nerves calmed once I started working on it.
“But, of course, as with any project, you want to hit it out the park – especially something with so much cultural significance and something that’s going to be broadcast to a global audience.”
By 9 am on Tuesday, the video had already had over three million views and Huggins said the feeling was crazy and overwhelming.
Hadco Phase II Pan Groove bandleader Len “Boogsie” Sharpe.
“It feels like Christmas and birthday kind of rolled into one, with the number of messages I’ve been getting.
“The thing is, Trinbagonians love to see some recognition for the great things we’ve done here, and I think this definitely highlights that.”
He finished his part of the project around November 2021, but only saw the final product last week.
“When I got it sent to me last week, I watched it so many times.
“I’ve been super-excited about this project for two years and couldn’t talk about it.”
He had a brief moment of panic, as on Monday night, someone messaged him to congratulate him on the “Google project,” which he was not allowed to mention until the day it was released.
“I was like, ‘OMG (because) I put together a blog post on my website and I was like, ‘Did I publish the blog post without waiting for the correct time?’
“But what happened was, it released at midnight in Japan so it started making the rounds (on social media) from Monday evening.”
Charles told Newsday he too was a bit nervous “because it was such a big scale, but there was also just excitement to get to work on a team of great Trinbagonians.
“I wanted to make sure we recorded real pans. I didn’t want to use synthesised pan or any type of sound from a computer. So everything you hear is real, even the tuning of the pan.
Etienne Charles. Photo by Jason Henry
He said the feedback has been incredible and that he’s thrilled to “put Trinbago on the map, 100 per cent.
“It’s very warming for me. My birthday was two days ago and it’s like a birthday present.
“The steelpan is a magical form and it’s our greatest export. It needs to be enjoyed all year round.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to get to present our culture this way on this platform and I hope it inspires people to take time to enjoy what we have in TT.”
For Seegobin, finding out what the project actually was, after signing the NDA, was exciting.
“When Nick (Huggins) pitched the idea, I immediately told him yes. We usually work together and he has such a good instinct for doing cool projects and just doing amazing things, so most times when he asks anything, the answer is usually yes.”
Mick Seegobin.
When he saw the final edit, he was overcome with joy and pride, he told Newsday.
“I think everyone just brought their A-game…I just loved it, it was brilliant.
“It was satisfying to know it was something we as Trinbagonians are proud of. I got a couple messages from people saying it made them so happy and proud and I am just so happy it caused that reaction.”
This story has been updated to include additional information. Read original below:
IF you visit the online search engine Google’s homepage today, you’ll get to hear the sound of this country’s national instrument, the steelpan.
Google regularly features interactive and informative doodles on its homepage.
This time, it said, it is “celebrating Trinidad and Tobago’s national instrument and the history behind it,” as it’s the 71st anniversary of the Trinidad All-Steel Pan Percussion Orchestra’s (TASPO) performance at the Festival of Britain.
In a tweet on Tuesday morning, Google doodles said, “#DYK (Did you know) there was only one acoustic instrument invented during the 20th century? The steelpan was created by resilient and innovative musicians in TT.”
When you click on the doodle, you are redirected to an animated YouTube video.
It begins with a truck driving through the streets and moves to a man forging an instrument from an oil drum, transitioning into someone playing the finished product.
It then shows steelbands performing at Panorama, and also features a panyard, doubles and snow cone vendors, among other things.
TT illustrator and graphic designer Nicholas Huggins illustrated the video, and 3D artist and motion designer Mick Seegobin did motion design. Jazz trumpeter Etienne Charles was the composer and the soloist was arranger and founder of the Phase II Pan Groove, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe.
Other players credited include Josanne Francis, Jonathan Castro and Luke Walker.
Huggins posted on Twitter: “Well the cat is out the bag. I have created a Google doodle on steelpan! Happy to keep flying the TT flag high!”
Charles posted to Facebook: “We did a thing. When Angelica McKinley reached out and told me the idea and who was on the team, I jumped. Thanks for trusting me to put what I hear with what you see, Nicholas Huggins.”
