Culture Meets Currency In Landmark Mural
The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) officially inaugurated a monumental piece of public art entitled “The Arches of Cultural Wealth” on Friday, June 20, 2025, at the intersection of Duke Street and Peter’s Lane. The Central Bank also announced an impact investment of $15 million JMD over a three year period, as part of Kingston Creative’s Adopt‑A‑Block initiative, which seeks to ensure the creation of an Art District in Downtown Kingston.
This striking new work of art was created by visual artist Pamella Chang, a young artist hailing from Mandeville. She explained that this mural is a celebration of Jamaica’s rich cultural heritage and the dynamic evolution of our monetary systems. Chang was supported in the execution by the artists Marvin Hibbert, Shanelle Davis, and Jaevon Vassel. The mural is a central part of the BOJ’s multi-year commitment to Downtown under Kingston Creative’s Adopt A Block programme, where the NGO is seeking to have eight city blocks of Water Lane adopted by corporate entities. The BOJ is the 7th entity to come on board and only one more block remains to be adopted.
The ceremony was attended by Mr. Richard Byles, Governor of the Bank of Jamaica, alongside Senior Vice Governor Wayne Robinson, Noel Greenland, Executive Director of Communications, Sandra Moodie, Museum Curator of the Bank of Jamaica, Pamella Chang, lead artist on the mural, Andrea Dempster Chung, Executive Director of Kingston Creative, along with Peter Goldson, Doris Gross and Kerry Jo Ford Lyn, Directors of Kingston Creative’s Board. The ceremony, also attended by BOJ’s staff members, highlighted the Central Bank’s commitment to public engagement and national identity through creative expression.
“At the Bank of Jamaica we firmly believe in Kingston’s immense potential as a more desirable location for Jamaicans to live and work and as a hub for cultural tourism and a thriving ecosystem.” said Governor Richard Byles. “We recognize that the growth of Jamaica‘s creative economy significantly contributes to national development and GDP, and that the economic and social vitality of Kingston as a Creative City depends on strategic investments, public-private collaborations and enabling frameworks. That is why we are here today; to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the transformation of Kingston and by extension, Jamaica.”
The BOJ, established on May 1, 1960, has been at the forefront of Jamaica’s financial development for over six decades. This installation reflects not only the bank’s presence in the area since the 1960s, but its active engagement in culture, creative placemaking and neighbourhood revitalization.
This 115th mural and adoption of a block of Downtown Kingston is a milestone of Kingston Creative’s nonprofit mission to enable Caribbean creatives to succeed so that they can create economic and social value, gain access to global markets, and have a positive impact on their local communities.
